Can any former president launch a nuclear weapon at any time?

Question

I have heard people say that once a person becomes president, they are given the nuclear codes.


So does that means all of the former presidents know the password and code to launch a nuclear weapon whenever they want since they know the password and code?

Answer 1

Just like Yahoo, they make you change the pass words.

Answer 2

Absolutely impossible, and even the prez himself cannot initiate a nuclear weapon even with executive order.

5 individual persons must collaboratively approve the launch or use of any nuclear weapon, the president is the last to set launch codes.

In the past, it was possible for a nuclear submarine commander and first officer to launch such weapon, and after a near catastrophic event, put the final call in hands of the commander in chief.

Nuclear launch codes are frequently changed, encrypted, and failsafed.

Answer 3

the codes are changed for each president no former president has access

Answer 4

The codes are changed frequently. They were changed at noon when Trump became president.

Answer 5

Of course not.

Answer 6

Do you honestly think they keep the same codes forever? Yeah no they don't so former presidents will not know the new ones, in fact the President doesn't know them by heart as they change constantly

Answer 7

Nope

Answer 8

thats just plain stupid

Answer 9

The codes are changed frequently...So no...

Answer 10

Of course. Obama just announced that he would be blowing up China.

Answer 11

Not even the current president knows the nuclear codes. The Prez has access to them.

Answer 12

Navycrab is asocialcommunist

Answer 13

This was sourced from Facebook. So it must be TRUE AS HELL! (O).@

Seriously, think about it. Is that logical?

Answer 14

No. The launch code is changed with each new president,

Answer 15

The phrase "I have heard" is the battle cry of those that can claim their brother/grandfather/uncle is also their father

Answer 16

I would be sure the president only sees the security codes if he needs to use them. From my understanding a man with the briefcase cuffed to his arm with satellite communications and probably has the codes with it who is always near the president should the president decides the US needs to launch its nuclear missiles. I would say the president carries a key so he is the only one who can open the briefcase and likely reads the codes and enters them for confirmation of his order to launch. Also I think the codes are quite long and very hard to remember. Without the briefcase and the codes I don't think they can launch the missiles so no past president can get access to the case.

Answer 17

Are Americans really this dumb?

Answer 18

I have some oceanfront property in Arizona I will sell you for a cheap price

Answer 19

No, that con not happen. The Codes are Changed often. AND not even the President acting on his own can launch Nuclear Weapons. There are controls in place to keep a President from going Mad.

Answer 20

1) The codes are changed constantly.



2) It takes at least TWO people with the correct codes to authorize a launch. Usually the President and the SECDEF would be the ones doing it. No one can do it on their own.

Answer 21

nope. they would change the codes and password for each administration

Answer 22

You are unbelievably stupid.

Answer 23

no once out of office a former president has no power or authority. the code changes daily

Answer 24

Do you really think they just keep the same codes forever????



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O8J2locx5o

Answer 25

No. The nuclear codes can be changed in an instant, and this happens when we get a new President, or if the existing codes have been compromised in any way.