Donald Trump trusted with nuclear codes

As soon as he becomes president, Donald Trump will be accompanied at all times by a military aide carrying the nuclear “football”, a briefcase enabling him to order a nuclear strike at a moment’s notice

NUCLEAR FOOTBALL Aluminium-framed briefcase inside black leather “jacket”

Weight: 20kg

Football nickname comes from early nuclear war plan code-named “Dropkick”

Aide physically attached to case via security cable around wrist

Zero Halliburton briefcase

Communication with National Military Command Centre at Pentagon

CONTENTS OF FOOTBALL

Manila folder: Procedures for Emergency Broadcast System

Black Book: Contains “menu” of pre-planned strike options

Book of classified sites: List of bunkers where president can be sheltered

Nuclear “biscuit”: Plastic card with authentication codes

IF PRESIDENT DECIDES TO STRIKE

President taken aside by “carrier” and briefcase opened

Attack options reviewed with military aide. Plan could involve firing as many as 925 nuclear warheads with destructive force greater than 17,000 Hiroshima bombs

President must be positively identified using “biscuit”. Under two-man rule, Defence Secretary is required
to verify order, but has no authority to veto decision

Once codes have been verified, military issues attack orders to proper units. Orders are then re-verified for authenticity. Once fired, missiles cannot be called back

U.S. PRESIDENT HAS SOLE AUTHORITY TO LAUNCH NUCLEAR ATTACK

Sources: Global Security, Smithsonian Institution
Pictures: Smithsonian, Getty Images