WASHINGTON(The COW News Digital) U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has contradicted former President Donald Trump’s recent statement that America is resuming full-scale nuclear explosions after more than three decades. Wright clarified that the upcoming nuclear-related experiments do not involve actual detonations but are instead non-critical tests designed to evaluate weapons systems without triggering nuclear blasts.
In an interview with Fox News, Wright—who also heads the agency overseeing U.S. nuclear testing—said the planned activities focus on “system-level testing” to ensure the reliability and safety of America’s nuclear arsenal. “These are not nuclear explosions,” he emphasized. “They are non-critical experiments that examine all other components of a nuclear weapon to confirm they function as intended and maintain readiness.”
The Energy Secretary explained that the experiments will use advanced simulation and diagnostic systems to assess how modifications to warhead designs affect performance. “With today’s scientific and computational capabilities, we can accurately predict what would happen in a nuclear detonation without conducting one,” Wright said. “This allows us to test and validate design changes without violating international norms.”
The clarification came after Trump, speaking ahead of a scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, claimed he had ordered the U.S. military to “immediately restart nuclear testing” for the first time in 33 years. The remark drew swift global attention and concern, with several nations—including Russia—warning that any return to nuclear explosions would destabilize international arms control efforts.
When pressed by reporters during his South Korea visit, Trump did not explicitly confirm whether his directive included underground nuclear detonations reminiscent of the Cold War era. His vague response fueled speculation about a potential policy shift.
Wright’s statement now appears to directly contradict the former president’s claim, indicating that the United States remains committed to non-explosive verification methods and compliance with the global moratorium on nuclear tests.
The United States last conducted an underground nuclear explosion in 1992 and has since relied on advanced simulations, computer modeling, and subcritical experiments to maintain the reliability of its nuclear stockpile.
Experts note that while the new wave of “non-critical” experiments may signal an effort to modernize the arsenal, it does not amount to a resumption of explosive testing prohibited under international agreements.
The clarification is seen as an attempt to reassure allies and prevent escalation in an already tense global nuclear environment.
