Trump admits having US nuclear codes is ‘very scary’ – but says it doesn’t keep him awake

In his first televised interview since entering the White House last Friday, the President said he was sure he’d do the “right thing” should the time come.

He described being given access to the codes for the catastrophic bombs as a “sobering” moment – but confessed the responsibility had not overly fazed him.

President Trump was quizzed on his ability to use America’s nuclear weapons during an interview with ABC’s David Muir.

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Donald Trump described being given access to the nuclear codes as "scary"

It's very, very, very scary in a sense

Donald Trump

“Right after the oath of office they gave you the nuclear codes – a sobering moment?” Mr Muir asked.

“When they explain what it represents and the kind of destruction that you’re talking about, it is a very sobering moment,” the president said.

"It's very, very, very scary in a sense."

ABC

Donald Trump was speaking to ABC's David Muir

As they continued the interview at the White House, Donald Trump was quick to point out the burden was not enough to warrant a sleepless night.

“I have confidence that I’ll do the right thing and the right job – but it is a very, very scary thing.”

In the wide-ranging conversation, Mr Trump also said he believed waterboarding, a form of torture, “absolutely worked” as he said the US should fight “fire with fire” in its efforts to defeat ISIS.

ABC

The US President said he had "confidence" he would do the right thing

Trump's vision for National Defense
Thu, January 26, 2017

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He said he would consult Defence Secretary James Mattis and CIA director Mike Pompeo about what could be done to tackle Islamic terrorism.

“When Isis is doing things that nobody has ever heard of since Medieval times, would I feel strongly about waterboarding…?

“I have spoken with people at the highest level of intelligence and I asked them the question 'Does it work? Does torture work?' and the answer was 'Yes, absolutely'.

"I will rely on Pompeo and Mattis and my group and if they don't want to do it that's fine. If they do want to do it then I will work toward that end.

"I want to do everything within the bounds of what you're allowed to do legally, but do I feel it works? Absolutely I feel it works."

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