Controversial Claims About Trump's Nuclear Codes During US-Iran Tensions

Allegations of Nuclear Code Usage

As tensions rise between the United States and Iran, a contentious assertion has emerged, alleging that former President Donald Trump considered using nuclear codes amid the crisis. This claim, put forth by ex-CIA analyst Larry Johnson, has gained traction online but remains unsupported by verified evidence.

Details of Johnson's Allegation

During an appearance on the Judging Freedom podcast, Johnson claimed that Trump sought to authorize nuclear weapon usage during an urgent meeting. He stated, “There was a report that an emergency meeting was held Saturday night, and one account claimed that at the White House, Trump wanted to use the nuclear codes.” Johnson also mentioned that General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, opposed this action, describing it as a “heated confrontation.”

Lack of Evidence

Currently, there are no verified reports confirming that such an emergency meeting at the Pentagon occurred on April 18. The last confirmed briefing took place on April 16, featuring Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth alongside General Caine. Johnson's claims have not been substantiated by credible sources or official reports, rendering them unverified.

Context of Trump's Involvement

In a related context, a report from a major news outlet indicated that Trump was excluded from the Situation Room during a rescue mission involving two F-15 pilots in Iranian territory. A source revealed that Trump had “screamed at aides for hours,” prompting officials to restrict his access. “Aides kept the president out of the room… because they believed his impatience wouldn’t be helpful,” the source noted, adding that he was only briefed at “meaningful moments” throughout the operation.