ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 22 Apr 2026 8:05 am - Jerusalem Time

Controversy in Washington over claims of Trump being denied access to nuclear codes and official denial of the narrative

Political and military circles in the United States are witnessing widespread controversy following the spread of allegations that President Donald Trump was prevented from accessing nuclear codes. These reports came in the context of an emergency meeting held to discuss the ongoing military escalation with Iran, raising questions about the nature of the relationship between the Commander-in-Chief and senior military leadership.

This narrative was based on statements made by Larry Johnson, a former CIA analyst, who indicated a sharp confrontation occurred during a meeting last Saturday. According to Johnson, Trump attempted to activate the nuclear option in the confrontation with Tehran, but the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff intervened directly to prevent it.

Johnson explained in a media appearance that General Dan Kaine refused to respond to the President's request, based on his military authority and field assessments of the crisis. He added that the President's behavior during the meeting caused a state of severe concern within the Pentagon, necessitating exceptional measures to control the decision-making process at that critical moment.

In contrast, the White House quickly issued an official statement denying these reports entirely, emphasizing that the circulating claims are baseless. The US administration stressed that discussions regarding a response to Iran remain within traditional frameworks, and that talk of using nuclear weapons was not on the table.

For its part, American press sources indicated that Johnson's narrative so far lacks any independent confirmation from within the administration or the Department of Defense. Reports noted that the absence of parallel leaks from official sources weakens the credibility of these claims, placing them within the framework of political speculation related to the state of internal polarization.

Allegations did not stop at the nuclear file but extended to include reports of Trump being prevented from entering the Situation Room for a specific period during a rescue operation for American pilots. Sources stated that military leaders preferred to keep the President away from the real-time details of the operation due to what they described as his emotional state, which could affect the course of sensitive field operations.

Observers believe that these leaks reflect the depth of the gap between the White House and military leaders in dealing with the complex Iranian file. Despite the official denial, the repetition of such narratives indicates the existence of unstated tensions regarding the mechanism of military decision-making in major crises threatening US national security.

Trump had previously made controversial statements, warning that the failure of the diplomatic path with Iran could lead to catastrophic results described as the end of civilization. Analysts linked these statements to the possibility of the administration resorting to unconventional military options, which Washington continuously tries to deny to calm international fears.

On the partisan front, a number of Republican politicians expressed skepticism about these narratives, considering them aimed at distorting the President's image and portraying him as not in control of affairs. They affirmed that American laws grant the President broad and clear powers regarding the nuclear arsenal, making the hypothesis of military prevention legally complex.

The issue remains, for now, within the framework of media debate, as no material evidence or documents have emerged to prove the alleged confrontation between Trump and General Kaine. With continued tension in the Middle East, eyes remain on Washington to monitor any developments that may reveal the truth of what is happening behind closed doors in American decision-making.

The claims regarding the attempted use of nuclear codes are incorrect, and the administration's statements about keeping options open do not include nuclear weapons.

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Controversy in Washington over claims of Trump being denied access to nuclear codes and official denial of the narrative

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