For over a decade, conservative activists warned that a single nuclear detonation high above the U.S. could trigger an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), frying the power grid and collapsing critical infrastructure without directly killing Americans. This fear fueled support for war with Iran and culminated in President Trump’s 2019 executive order on EMP defense. Key figures in that movement now hold top roles in his administration, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Ambassador Mike Huckabee.
Despite their past warnings, none have publicly cited EMP as a reason for attacking Iran. The White House declined to confirm if EMP was discussed before the conflict. Scientists and security experts remain skeptical, calling EMP fears exaggerated and unrealistic due to the risk of retaliation and technical challenges.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a leading EMP advocate, insists the threat is real and that Trump understands it. The concept emerged in 1962 when a U.S. nuclear test above the Pacific unexpectedly disrupted power in Honolulu, though space testing was soon banned, leaving EMP largely theoretical.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing