U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has sought to quell international anxieties by clarifying that the nation’s planned weapons tests will not involve nuclear explosions. Speaking on Fox News, Wright stated, “These are not nuclear explosions. These are what we call non-critical explosions.” This statement comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s recent directive to military officials to resume weapons testing on par with rival nations.
Wright, whose department oversees such testing, reassured citizens, particularly those near the Nevada National Security Site, that there is no cause for alarm regarding mushroom clouds. He explained that the tests are designed to ensure the proper functioning and delivery of various components of nuclear weapons. “Americans near historic test sites such as the Nevada National Security Site have no cause for concern,” Wright said. “So you’re testing all the other parts of a nuclear weapon to make sure they deliver the appropriate geometry, and they set up the nuclear explosion.”
President Trump’s earlier comments on Truth Social suggested a move towards restarting full-scale nuclear detonations, a practice not undertaken by the U.S. since 1992. In a CBS interview, Trump elaborated on his position, stating, “I’m saying that we’re going to test nuclear weapons like other countries do, yes.” He pointed to Russia and China as countries that conduct tests without public disclosure, though both nations have denied recent nuclear testing. Russia and China’s last reported nuclear tests were in 1990 and 1996, respectively. North Korea is the only nation known to have conducted nuclear tests in the post-1990 era, although it declared a moratorium in 2018.
Data from organizations like the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) and the Arms Control Association (ACA) indicate significant nuclear stockpiles among major powers, with Russia and the United States possessing the largest arsenals. China, France, the UK, India, Pakistan, and Israel also maintain nuclear capabilities, with China significantly expanding its arsenal in recent years.