Pentagon watchdog to review 'nuclear football' safety procedures after January 6 incident

[brooklynite]

Source: CNN

(CNN)The Department of Defense inspector general is launching a review of the Pentagon's and White House's ability to keep the "nuclear football" secure during a crisis, following an incident on January 6 when rioters came within 100 feet of the backup "football."

The inspector general will evaluate the policies and procedures around the Presidential Emergency Satchel, also known as the "nuclear football," in the event that it is "lost, stolen, or compromised," according to an announcement from the DoD IG's office.

The "nuclear football" stays close to the president at all times. There is a backup "football" that stays close to the vice president in the event that the president is unable to carry out his nuclear launch responsibilities. The briefcase contains equipment and decision-making papers that the president or, in the event the president is not able to, the vice president needs to authenticate orders for and to launch a nuclear strike.

The review was largely precipitated by congressional concerns following the events of January 6 on Capitol Hill, when rioters came within 100 feet of then-Vice President Mike Pence and the military aide accompanying him carrying the backup "football," according to several defense officials.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/20/politics/dod-ig-nuclear-football-review/index.html

[EYESORE 9001]

1. Tourists like souvenirs

and what better way to remember your visit to the Capitol than a fully functional nuclear Football.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. And as later reports came out

Pence supposedly remained onsite (in an undisclosed location) rather than be driven away.

They may have to look at that type of scenario (and the alleged reasons for his decision, which were concerning).

[Hestia]

5. It's because he didn't trust the Secret Service to keep him safe, so he refused to go with them

and leave the premises. The only agent he trusted is the one who was with him all the time. The rest, no.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. I know

which is why the military official who has the backup football, probably had that added stress because they ALSO have to be with the VP (or in the immediate vicinity in the private quarters I expect) pretty much at all times.

[modrepub]

3. I Doubt A Nuclear Exchange Could Be Initiated

by someone taking the "football" on its own. There are too many other stops that can happen to short circuit an unauthorized push. The immediate danger was that the US would be vulnerable to a first strike (not likely) since the riot could have potentially removed one of the people who would have been authorized to instigate a nuclear strike.

That said, the information that could be gleaned from the device itself is probably extremely valuable. Note that the thief who stole Pelosi's computer had no misgivings about turning it over to our enemies.

[ffr]

4. JHC! Every day under oppressive GOP rule put us on the brink of destruction!!!

As a nation, it feels like every day could be our last. We're being eaten from within by the corrosive GOP/QOP.