Nevada Delegation Responds to Trump’s Nuclear Testing Proposal

The Nevada delegation is responding strongly to former President Donald Trump's recent proposal to potentially resume nuclear testing. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen emphasized the urgent need for President Trump to clarify his recent comments, where he indicated he had instructed the Department of War to start testing nuclear weapons on an equal basis. This statement raised alarms among Nevada lawmakers who recall the extensive history of nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site, where nearly 1,000 atmospheric and underground tests occurred between 1951 and 1992. Rosen and her fellow Nevada Democrats, including Senators Catherine Cortez Masto, and Representatives Steven Horsford, Susie Lee, and Dina Titus, sent a letter to the Trump administration demanding a retraction of his directive and a reaffirmation of the moratorium on explosive nuclear testing. The letter also requested a halt to any preparatory activities that might indicate a resumption of testing and asked for a briefing on developments related to the nuclear stockpile, including the potential use of artificial intelligence in weapons design.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright attempted to clarify Trump's comments during an interview, stating that the tests being discussed would not involve explosive nuclear tests but would be system tests using noncritical explosions. However, Rosen dismissed this clarification, asserting there was no evidence that explosive testing was necessary and emphasized the risks of radiation exposure that could affect not only Nevadans but also people in surrounding areas. The last explosive nuclear test in the U.S. occurred in 1992 at what is now known as the Nevada National Security Site, located about 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

In a separate report from the Las Vegas Sun, it was noted that nearly three-quarters of Nevada voters oppose the resumption of nuclear weapons testing. Representative Dina Titus introduced legislation aimed at prohibiting the U.S. from conducting explosive nuclear tests and preventing federal funding for such activities. She highlighted concerns that resuming testing would not only pose health risks to Nevadans but could also encourage similar actions from countries like Russia and China, countering Trump's claims that other nations' testing programs justified a change in U.S. policy. Vice Admiral Richard Correll, Trump's nominee for a key military command, noted that neither China nor Russia has resumed explosive nuclear testing, further complicating the administration's justification for a potential U.S. return to testing.

The Nevada delegation's strong stance reflects the state's historical context with nuclear issues and underscores the potential public safety and environmental implications of any resumption of testing. Rosen reiterated her commitment to protecting the health and safety of families, arguing that the consequences of explosive testing would contaminate air, water, and soil beyond Nevada. This ongoing debate is critical not just for Nevada but for national and international security as well.