A single branch of government can order the first use of nuclear weapons since 1945. A deranged president who, without reasonable provocation, unilaterally ordered a “first strike” could expect wanton destruction unless the Secretary of Defense, a Presidential appointee, disobeys the orders. That nightmare scenario risks becoming real as a major presidential candidate has reportedly asked why nuclear weapons should go unused.
Even if these reports are false, we need be a safeguard — a first strike the majority of branches find unreasonable should be impossible. Appointees are not enough. The specifics could be based in Michael E. O’Hanlon’s proposals (https://www.brookings.edu/2016/03/01/going-it-alone-the-president-and-th...). There must be something.
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