Can the President of the US Donald Trump use his office to launch nuclear missiles?

Answer 1

The President, as Commander-in-Chief has the ultimate authority over the US nuclear arsenal. But he could not, immediately and unilaterally, order the use of nuclear weapons except when the US is under attack. The reason is that there are several steps to the process, and the military leadership would have ample opportunity to question the authenticity and advisability of such an order.

It would be logistically impossible, in the event of an armed attack on the US, for anyone but military leaders and the President to decide the best course of action, up to and including a nuclear response. None of the wars since 1945 included a Congressional declaration of war against another nation, but did include Congressional authorization for military actions and their funding.

Answer 2

When the US was involved in WW2, it was at war with only Germany at first. Japan was expanding its' influence through war, and it sent a letter of intent to commit itself to war with the US, and its allies. That letter didn't arrive in the US before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor as it was meant to be.

The 'rules' of war are that war is declared before any engagement begins. The response by the US was one of anger and outrage. That Sunday, their four aircraft carriers were out at sea. Japan had hoped that they would have been in port as usual.

There is now a bill introduced in the Senate that makes it clear that the US can not use nuclear missiles without a declaration of war. Only Congress can declare war, not the President.