US President Donald Trump has ordered the resumption of the nuclear testing program, leading US media outlets report, citing administration sources.
According to The New York Times, following the expiration of the last major nuclear arms control treaty between the US and Russia (New START) on February 5, the White House is actively considering expanding its nuclear arsenal and conducting underground nuclear tests—the first time the United States conducted a full-scale nuclear test since 1992.
As early as the fall of 2025, Trump stated that he had instructed the Pentagon to “immediately begin testing nuclear weapons on an equal footing” with Russia and China. In October 2025, he wrote on his social media account, TruthSocial: “Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have directed that we begin testing our nuclear weapons on an equal footing. This process will begin immediately.”
However, the administration emphasizes that the resumption of full-scale nuclear explosions with energy release is not currently under consideration. In November 2025, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified that other forms of verification (including subcritical experiments and delivery system testing) were planned at this stage, rather than explosive tests. Nevertheless, recent statements from senior officials indicate that “some types of nuclear tests” are being seriously considered.
Arms control experts warn that if the US does return to explosive testing, it will almost inevitably provoke similar steps by Russia and China, triggering a new nuclear arms race.
There has been no official confirmation from the White House or the Pentagon regarding the date and type of the first test. There are already calls in Congress to block funding for testing preparations, with Democrats and some Republicans calling the idea a “dangerous and unnecessary step back to the Cold War era.”