Ten former nuclear launch control officers whose job it was to carry out a president’s call for a nuclear strike at a moment’s notice, have written an open letter opposing Donald Trump for president.
“He has shown himself time and again to be easily baited and quick to lash out, dismissive of expert consultation and ill-informed of even basic military and international affairs — including, most especially, nuclear weapons,” the letter states. “Donald Trump should not be the nation’s commander-in-chief. He should not be entrusted with the nuclear launch codes. He should not have his finger on the button.”
The officers said the Republican nominee lacks the “composure, judgment, restraint and diplomatic skill” necessary for any commander in chief to possess.
This group is not the first to share its concerns about the candidate. Throughout the 2016 presidential cycle, groups of national security leaders have signed letters both in support of and in opposition to the billionaire businessman’s campaign.
Bruce Blair, who organized the letter, said they decided to release a public declaration of opposition a few weeks ago, when polls showed Trump and Clinton neck and neck.
“It sort of snuck up on us,” Blair told the Washington Post. “They were at a virtual tie in the polls. You kind of woke up one day and realized it’s very possible that this person, this pathological liar, who lacks self control, who knows very little about anything and is angry and aggressive, who might lash out with nuclear weapons if he’s elected, could win. That sort of dawned on everyone. We felt we needed to weigh in.”
The group of officers served in four underground launch centers in Cheyenne, Wyo., Minot, N.D., Great Falls, Mont., and Grand Forks, N.D., dating from the 1960s to the current decade.
Despite opposing Trump, the 10 officers did not endorse Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
