"I don’t think there’s any such thing as the ability to easily use a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon.”
– Joe Biden, 2023
In today's world of global conflict and tension between nuclear powers, one briefcase holds the key to America's most devastating atomic weapons. Known as the "nuclear football," this unassuming black bag represents the ultimate power—and responsibility—of the President of the United States. But what exactly is the nuclear football, and how does it fit into our national security and our country's nuclear strategy?
What Is the Nuclear Football? Who Is Involved in Launching a Nuclear Strike? Can a Presidential Nuclear Launch Order Be Vetoed? Origins: The Eisenhower Era and the History of the Football Mutually Assured Destruction: How the Nuclear Football Deters Attacks Preparing for the Unthinkable: What Civilians Should Know Beyond the Football: Staying Prepared in the Nuclear AgeTable of Contents
What Is the Nuclear Football?
The nuclear football, officially called the "Presidential Emergency Satchel," is a leather briefcase that is carried by a military aide to the President of the United States at all times. It contains all of the tools and information needed to authorize a nuclear strike. While many of us picture the nuclear football as a cartoonish suitcase with a single red button inside, it actually has multiple pieces.
Parts of the Nuclear Football
The specific list of items that can be found inside the football is classified information. However, we know that the briefcase contains these five key components:
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The "Black Book," which outlines a number of different war plans and nuclear strike options
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Authentication codes used to verify the President's identity and transfer control of nuclear weapons
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Nuclear codes
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Secure communication equipment used to contact the National Military Command Center
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Emergency broadcast protocols for alerting the nation
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A list of secure bunker locations where the President can shelter in place
These tools and information enable the President to quickly assess the situation and authorize a nuclear attack, even while away from the White House. In the event of nuclear war, the President has the ability to launch nuclear weapons in less than an hour.
Before presidential control of nuclear weaponry is transferred, every new President has to go through a pre-inauguration nuclear briefing, which often includes comprehensive nuclear information and prepares them about their options. The steps to authorize the use of nuclear weapons in the event of a war are also discussed in these situations.
The Nuclear Biscuit
The nuclear football weighs about 45 pounds, so it's a military aide carrying the football rather than the President themselves. Instead, the President carries a small card known as the "biscuit." The nuclear biscuit is a card with authentication codes that acts as the President's personal key to unlocking America's nuclear arsenal.
The biscuit acts a lot like a two-factor authentication device or app. Its codes are updated regularly, and it works in connection with the nuclear football to verify the President's identity. Without the biscuit, the President can't order a nuclear strike, even if they have the football itself. It's also one of the reasons why the military aide carrying the nuclear football in hand always remains close to the President.
Who Is Involved in Launching a Nuclear Strike?
There are actually two nuclear footballs and biscuits; one football remains near the President at all times, and the "backup" football travels with the Vice President in case the President is incapacitated, according to information from the National Security Archive. These are the only two people with the authority to launch a nuclear strike; however, the actual launch process is more complex and involves multiple people and steps.
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First, the President would consult with Joint Chiefs of Staff and other military and civilian advisors to discuss options and select a strike plan from the Black Book.
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Next, the President must communicate this decision to the Secretary of Defense.
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The Secretary of Defense must confirm the President's identity and the authenticity of the order and then sign off on it. This step is for verification purposes only—if the authorization is legitimate, the Secretary of Defense cannot veto the order.
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The President further confirms their identity using the nuclear biscuit.
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From the nuclear football, the President transmits launch codes to missile sites and submarines.
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Military personnel at these launch facilities authenticate the order and execute the strike.
This process is designed to involve multiple different entities and identity verifications to ensure there are checks and balances in place to safeguard against rash unilateral decisions and "finger on the nuclear button" scenarios.
Can a Presidential Nuclear Launch Order Be Vetoed?
Officially, there is no legal process in place to prevent or override a President's nuclear strike order. In reality, though, there are a number of entities that have the ability to resist or interfere with a nuclear command.
Secretary of Defense
Once the President and their advisors have chosen a strike plan, the Secretary of Defense has to confirm the authenticity of the plan and sign off on it accordingly. The purpose of this sign-off is exclusively to confirm that the DOD has verified the President's identity and the order's authenticity, not to represent the Secretary's approval of the plan.
Legally, the Secretary of Defense is not allowed to veto the President's strike order. However, they could potentially slow down the process by refusing to relay the order.
Military Officers
The nuclear launch process relies on the involvement of a number of White House military aides and advisors to facilitate the authorization of the order. These individuals are legally bound by the Uniform Code of Military Justice to obey lawful orders from officers above them in the Chain of Command, which includes the President.
However, when military officers take their Oath of Office, they swear to support and defend the Constitution, not the President. Therefore, military personnel have a "duty to disobey" unlawful orders that would violate that oath—even if those orders came directly from the President.
The "Two-Man Rule"
At various points in the launch process, there must be two people present to execute actions or commands, especially when inputting the launch codes for nuclear weapons. For example, in underground missile silos, there are two keys that need to be turned simultaneously and are too far apart to be turned by one person.
Similarly, nuclear submarines have two separate code systems operated by the commanding officer and the executive officer, both of which are required to authenticate and initiate a launch. This system creates opportunities for key personnel to disagree with, slow down, or refuse to execute a nuclear strike order.
Origins: The Eisenhower Era and the History of the Football
The idea for a nuclear briefcase came about during the Cold War. As tensions with the Soviet Union escalated and nuclear war seemed more likely, the Eisenhower administration realized that they needed a system for rapidly responding to a nuclear attack. In the 1950s, Captain Edward "Ned" Beach Jr., who was a submarine officer and naval aide to the President, invented the portable football system used today.
A New Era of Nuclear Command and Control
The invention of a portable nuclear strike command center radically changed America's nuclear strategy. This new technology enabled faster decision-making, complete mobility, and—once the rest of the world was made aware of the speed with which the President could now authorize a nuclear attack—greater deterrence against attacks.
Mutually Assured Destruction: How the Nuclear Football Deters Attacks
The nuclear football's technical function is to launch attacks, but its very existence acts as a powerful deterrent against them. The most powerful deterrent to a nuclear attack is the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction—the knowledge that a nuclear strike on the United States is guaranteed to result in a retaliatory nuclear strike, so any country that orders the use of nuclear weapons on the U.S. is effectively ordering a nuclear attack on themselves as well.
However, the threat of Mutually Assured Destruction is ineffective if an opposing power believes that American nuclear capabilities are slow enough that it could successfully complete an attack before the President has time to issue a retaliatory strike. The nuclear football's mobility ensures that the United States is always capable of launching a strike within minutes, leaving no opportunity for opposing powers to catch the government off guard.
Preparing for the Unthinkable: What Civilians Should Know
The knowledge that the President could launch an immediate nuclear strike at any time is a deterrent for foreign powers, but it's also a powerful reminder to civilians of the ever-present potential for nuclear conflict. Thankfully, there are plenty of common-sense measures that civilians can take to prepare and protect themselves and their families.
Understand Your Warning Systems
An early warning can make the difference between life and death in the event of a nuclear crisis. It's important to make sure you know what warning systems are in place and what to expect when an alert is issued.
Anyone who grew up watching cable TV or listening to the radio likely remembers the jarring alerts that came across the airwaves during tests and severe weather events. These alerts instructed the user to tune into a particular channel, where they could get additional information and emergency instructions.
Today, many people no longer have cable or household radios, and the EAS does not broadcast via streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Instead, the EAS can issue Wireless Emergency Alerts directly to all WEA-enabled mobile devices in a given area, ensuring that each warning will reach a majority of the population.
The EAS can be used by any government-identified "Alerting Authorities," which include state, local, tribal, and territorial public safety officials, the National Weather Service, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the President of the United States.
Know Your Evacuation Routes
Everyone knows that you evacuate to high ground in a flood or inland during a tsunami, but figuring out where to go in a nuclear emergency can be a little more difficult. Here are a few tips for making a comprehensive nuclear evacuation plan:
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Consult your local emergency management office. Evacuation strategies vary widely by location, and local offices will have plans tailored to your specific environment.
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Consider your location relative to potential targets, like military bases and major cities, and craft routes that lead away from these locations.
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Identify multiple routes in different directions, as wind patterns can affect fallout spread.
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Print or buy physical maps with your evacuation routes marked and keep copies in your cars and at home. Do not rely on GPS or mobile services, which may be disrupted in an emergency.
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Practice your evacuation routes with your family. Stay up-to-date on any major construction projects or other interruptions that may block your way.
Build an Emergency Kit
A well-stocked emergency kit is your lifeline in the aftermath of a nuclear event. Your kit should include enough supplies to sustain your family for 72 hours at a minimum; if possible, aim for enough supplies to last two weeks.
Your kit should include:
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Water (one gallon per person per day)
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Non-perishable, high-calorie, nutrient-dense food
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Manual can opener
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First aid kit (including prescription medications)
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Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
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Flashlights and extra batteries
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Safety whistle
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Dust masks, plastic sheeting, and duct tape for sheltering in place
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Sanitation items (e.g. moist towelettes, garbage bags)
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Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
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Cell phone with chargers and backup battery
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Nuclear protective equipment
Invest in Protective Equipment
Standard PPE isn't sufficient to protect against most nuclear material. Make sure that you're prepared by investing in purpose-built nuclear protection equipment:
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CBRN Gas Mask with specialized, CBRN-resistant rubber
- Protective hazmat suit
- Potassium iodide tablets
- Geiger counter
To make sure you have all of your bases covered, consider investing in a nuclear survival kit that's purpose-built for rapid deployment in a sudden emergency.
Learn About Fallout Shelters
You may be surprised to learn how close you are to a fallout shelter. During the Cold War, governments designed or reinforced schools, government buildings, and hospitals to withstand a nuclear event, and many of those facilities are still in existence. Contact your local emergency management office for information on fallout shelters near you.
If you don't live near an established fallout shelter, identify the key components of a quality DIY fallout shelter:
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Thick walls and roof (dense materials like concrete are ideal)
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Filtered ventilation system
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Stored supplies (food, water, medical supplies)
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Communication equipment
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Radiation detection instruments
While building a full-blown underground bunker isn't feasible for most people, a house basement offers a solid foundation for a home-made fallout shelter.
Stay Informed
Develop a media consumption routine that ensures you stay informed about international events and potential nuclear threats. Geopolitical tensions can escalate quickly, and being aware of developing situations can give you valuable time to prepare or evacuate if necessary.
Make sure you follow reputable international relations experts and organizations focused on nuclear policy, and avoid fear-mongering content designed to drive clicks rather than provide valuable information. Balance staying aware with maintaining your mental health, and use your knowledge to take practical steps towards preparedness.
Beyond the Football: Staying Prepared in the Nuclear Age
The nuclear football can be a symbol of great power as well as great tragedy. Its existence represents both the ultimate insurance policy against attack and the constant threat of a nuclear conflict. As citizens, it's crucial to stay informed on nuclear policies and preparedness. While we all hope that the football never comes into play, the unavoidable reality is that nuclear threats persist. By understanding the systems that surround the United States's nuclear capabilities and taking personal preparedness seriously, we can all contribute to a safer world.