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Report says Trump was blocked from accessing nuclear codes

newsApr 20, 2026292,378

The Daily Mirror reported that the head of the U.S. military refused President Donald Trump's attempt to access nuclear launch codes during a White House meeting on Saturday night. Retired CIA analyst Larry Johnson told the Mirror that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stood up and said "no" to Trump's request. Former officials and nuclear-control experts say the president has sole launch authority and there is no simple way for the military to block access, and no other outlets have independently corroborated the Mirror's account.

Key Highlights

Daily Mirror reported the block occurred during a Saturday White House meeting.
Retired CIA analyst Larry Johnson said the Joint Chiefs chairman said "no".
Experts note the president has sole launch authority; no independent corroboration.
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