The Protocol for a Nuclear Strike

Anthony Pannullo
Aug 9, 2017 · 3 min read

Tensions rose on Tuesday, August 8th between President Trump and North Korea. Trump warned that nuclear escalation from NK would be met with “fire and fury” like the world has never seen. Later that day, North Korea was reportedly considering an attack near Guam, home to US Military bases.

This news is receiving mixed responses from the American people, ranging from fear and terror to skepticism on NK’s ability or will to attack the United States and its territories. In light of these events, what is the protocol for a President to authorize a nuclear strike? First of all, we cannot be sure that any attack (if it occurred) would involve nuclear weapons. However, the very possibility is enough of a concern to many.

The image of a “red button” is a frequent metaphor for the President’s ability to order a strike that could unleash devastating consequences. We know that the process is luckily more complicated than that. First of all, the first codes that a President would use to identify themselves are known as “Gold Codes”. They are presented to sitting Presidents and Vice Presidents along with the “Nuclear Football”, professionally known as the “emergency response satchel”.

The President carries Gold Codes on plastic card within a case which must be broken before use. New codes are regularly printed by the National Security Administration for extra security. Finally, the President must distinguish the real codes from the decoys.

Now for the Nuclear Football. We know that the President is always accompanied by a briefcase which contains the codes and instructions for carrying out multiple forms of retaliatory strikes. If the President wishes to authorize a strike, the person who carries the briefcase would allow the President to choose from various strikes ranging from a single missile to an ICBM. Strikes are labeled as “Major”, “Selected”, or “Limited” attack options. The order and codes are then sent to the National Military Command Center (NMCC). This satchel also contains information on the emergency alert system, continuation of government, and other documents relating to the launch protocol and safety of the President.

Although the President is the only one who can order a nuclear strike, there is another level of authorization. The Secretary of Defense must join the President in authorizing the strike with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military aide to the President. The Secretary of Defense cannot veto this order- only verify it. The Secretary can refuse, but can also be fired for refusing.

It appears that the only other authority who can try and stop a President’s nuclear authorization is Congress or the Cabinet invoking Section 4 of the 25th Amendment. This would render the President unfit to serve and have the Vice President take over. It would have to be done before a strike is ordered, as there is very little room to turn back once the response is activated.

Despite this process, there are not many barriers in the way of the President. According to Vice President Dick Cheney in 2008, “The President….could launch a kind of devastating attack the world’s never seen. He doesn’t have to call the Congress. He doesn’t have to check with the courts. He has that authority because of the nature of the world we live in.”

The President is surrounded by several top military aides who are highly-trained in using this protocol. Not only that, but they must always be within a minute’s reach of the President. The Football is to be within feet of the President at all times. Neither the Military nor the highest ranking officials can deny the President their ability to use a nuclear strike. If Congress or the Cabinet feel that the individual who holds the Gold Codes cannot use them wisely, they would have to act quickly in the event of nuclear threat escalation.

Anthony Pannullo

Written by

Master’s candidate and sustainability scientist.

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