Back to Show
PBS News Hour
Should U.S. president be authorized to launch nuclear bomb?
On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the first atomic weapon on Hiroshima, Japan. Seventy-five years later, the NewsHour revisits how the president became the sole authority on when nuclear weapons are used. Nick Schifrin reports and talks to former Secretary of Defense William Perry, co-author of "The Button: The New Nuclear Arms Race and Presidential Power from Truman to Trump."
Support Provided By

57:46
October 17, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode

57:46
October 16, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode

57:46
October 15, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode

57:46
October 14, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode

57:46
October 13, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode

26:45
October 12, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode

26:45
October 11, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode

57:46
October 10, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode

57:46
October 9, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode

57:46
October 8, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode

57:46
October 7, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode

56:45
October 6, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode