<P> Only the President can direct the use of nuclear weapons by U.S. armed forces , including the Single Integrated Operational Plan ( SIOP ) . While the President does have unilateral authority as commander - in - chief to order that nuclear weapons be used for any reason at any time , the actual procedures and technical systems in place for authorizing the execution of a launch order requires a secondary confirmation under a two - man rule , as the President 's order is subject to secondary confirmation by the Secretary of Defense . If the Secretary of Defense does not concur , then the President may in his sole discretion fire the Secretary . The Secretary of Defense has legal authority to approve the order , but can not veto it . </P>
<P> Only the President can direct the use of nuclear weapons by U.S. armed forces , including the Single Integrated Operational Plan ( SIOP ) . While the President does have unilateral authority as commander - in - chief to order that nuclear weapons be used for any reason at any time , the actual procedures and technical systems in place for authorizing the execution of a launch order requires a secondary confirmation under a two - man rule , as the President 's order is subject to secondary confirmation by the Secretary of Defense . If the Secretary of Defense does not concur , then the President may in his sole discretion fire the Secretary . The Secretary of Defense has legal authority to approve the order , but can not veto it . </P>
who has the power to launch nuclear weapons in the us
who has the power to launch nuclear weapons in the us
Only the President
Only the President