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FINGER ON THE BUTTON

Donald Trump handed nuclear codes and briefed on firing missiles ahead of inauguration

DONALD Trump will today be briefed by defence chiefs on how to launch America’s nukes.

On the morning of inauguration day, the president-elect is traditionally handed the infamous nuclear codes.

 Donald Trump will have his 'finger on the button' as of today after receiving his nuclear briefing
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Donald Trump will have his 'finger on the button' as of today after receiving his nuclear briefingCredit: Getty Images

Military staff will then instruct him on how to unleash devastating hellfire on the country’s enemies.

Many – including Barack Obama – have expressed concerns about someone with Trump’s temperament having his “finger on the button”.

Speaking during the election campaign, the outgoing president said: "If somebody starts tweeting at three in the morning because SNL made fun of you, then you can't handle the nuclear codes."

And a group of former nuclear launch officers warned against handing him such awesome power in October last year.

Writing for the anti-Trump #NoRedButton campaign, they said: "The pressures the system places on that one person are staggering and require enormous composure, judgment, restraint and diplomatic skill.

"Donald Trump does not have these leadership qualities.

"He should not have his finger on the button."

The US has the largest deployed nuclear arsenal of any country in the world, with some 1,920 warheads ready to fire.

Even without the massive stockpile of 5,380 warheads that are not deployed, this would be enough to nuke the entire world several times over.

And Trump has also vowed to “greatly strengthen and expand” the country’s nuclear capabilities.



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