Can Trump be Stopped from Launching a Nuclear Strike?
With escalating conflict in the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, global dread of World War III is spreading. Amid calls to “unleash hell,” UNILAD asked a legal expert whether U.S. generals could refuse a nuclear order from President Donald Trump—and the answer isn’t as straightforward as pressing a button.
The President’s Sole Authority — With Limits
By law, the U.S. President holds exclusive power to launch nuclear weapons. But Anthony Colangelo, a law professor at Southern Methodist University, clarified that soldiers and commanders aren’t bound to obey orders that clearly violate international humanitarian law—such as deploying nukes when conventional weapons would suffice, or causing mass civilian casualties.
Moreover, in such cases, Colangelo emphasized that “those who carry it out could be liable for war crimes and would ultimately have a duty to say no.” These legal protections offer a theoretical barrier to illegal orders—but uncertainties exist around who, practicalities, and situational clarity.
The Chain of Command Dilemma for Trump
Colangelo noted the hierarchical structure: a defiant general could be replaced by another who may carry out the same order. Subordinates often lack full context. This is especially true for submarine or remote crews tasked solely with execution. So, this will naturally raise questions around who truly holds responsibility for refusal.
This tension between military obedience and moral agency fuels debates over preventing misuse of nuclear authority. Should future safeguards be embedded in the chain of command?
Trump’s Nuclear Messaging: Deterrence or Alarm?
This exploration comes as Trump has repeatedly invoked nuclear brinkmanship. In comparison to World War II’s atomic bombings, he claimed the recent Iran strikes were “very severe”. He’s also cautioned of a global war triggered by escalating Middle East conflict.
These remarks, paired with aggressive rhetoric like “unleash hell,” have fueled a growing chorus of concern that nuclear play or miscalculation could inadvertently ignite a profound global crisis.
Protecting Against “Illegal” Nuclear Orders
Legal experts stress the importance of reinforcing norms: explicit in-field guidelines, legal responsibility for war crimes, and transparent oversight. But with Cold War-era treaties expired and AI-enhanced weaponry coming online, the pathway from a president’s order to nuclear launch is now more technologically convoluted—and harder to interrupt .
Even so, Colangelo remains hopeful that at least senior U.S. military officials would insist on legality. Additionally, he hopes that they will refuse to carry out a clear contravention of international law.
You might also want to read: World War III Concerns: Are We on the Verge of a Global Conflict?
