Congressman Ted Lieu moves to revoke Donald Trump’s authority over nuclear weapons

| 7:54 pm EST January 24, 2017
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Donald Trump’s erratic behavior in general, and his unnerving tweets about nuclear weapons in particular, have led many Americans to wonder if they should be preparing themselves for thermonuclear war. And they’re not alone in sharing their concern about the unstable Trump having access to the nuclear launch codes. In fact, House Democrats are now moving to revoke Trump’s control over nuclear weapons.

Congressman Ted Lieu of California and Congressman Ed Markey of Massachusetts introduced legislation into the United States House of Representatives today to basically take Trump’s nukes away. Lieu explained on his official website that “This legislation would prohibit the President from launching a nuclear first strike without a declaration of war by Congress. The crucial issue of nuclear ‘first use’ is more urgent than ever now that President Donald Trump has the power to launch a nuclear war at a moment’s notice.”

For this legislation to pass the House or the Senate, it would require at least some Republicans in each chamber to vote in favor of it, which could prove to be a challenge. And even then, Donald Trump could veto it. But the mere introduction of this bill brings attention to Trump’s instability and helps force a national discussion about it.