It’s True: Don the Con Could Start World War III on His Own Authority Alone

According to a Snopes.com post, President Don could, on his own authority, could order a nuclear strike using as many missiles as he wished on whatever country he wished.  He is supposed to consult with the Secretary of Defense and the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but he carries a card that has codes on it that he can use to orally identify himself and order an immediate launch of nuclear missiles without fear of contradiction.  Here is what Snopes says:

If the president decided to order a strike, he would identify himself to military officials at the Pentagon with codes unique to him. These codes are recorded on a card known as the biscuit that is carried by the president at all times. He would then transmit the launch order to the Pentagon and Strategic Command.

Blair, the former missile launch officer, said there is no way to reverse the president’s order. And there would be no recalling missiles once launched.

Although fielded and assigned for use by the military, the nuclear bomb is inherently a political weapon, given its almost unimaginable destructive capacity. That explains why the system for controlling the use of U.S. nuclear weapons has been designed to concentrate decision-making power in the ultimate political office: the presidency.

I hope that helps you to sleep better tonight.