Letter

In response to For President Trump, starting nuclear war is as easy as sending a tweet

Trump and 'The Button'

Connie Peck’s article about the ease with which Trump might start a nuclear war is seriously disturbing. I can only offer two comments which might provide some slight reassurance.

Strategically, Trump often denounces his opponents as irrational, extremist or simply ‘scum’ (because they won’t agree to a ‘deal’). This is important because it implants in the President’s mind the possibility that opponents can be reckless and willing to escalate a conflict to higher levels. Politically, a President about to start using nuclear weapons might face the ultimate Catch-22: anyone who believes it is a good idea to start a nuclear war could be considered unfit for office since such an action may lead to devastation of the United States.

Even the die-hard loyalists surrounding Trump might put concern for their own lives ahead of following Trump into the risk of nuclear oblivion. Moreover, while the 25th Amendment (section 4) does require the co-operation of the Vice-President to remove the President from office, it also provides that the Vice-President will take the place of the President.

— Hugh Smith from Canberra (ACT)