“No Kings” protests across Maine and the United States were followed by the release of the movie “A House of Dynamite.” The movie makes very clear — in a tense, dramatic way — that the president of the United States has the sole authority to launch nuclear weapons.

“No Kings” demonstrations called for the restoration of constitutional checks and balances on the executive by the legislative and judicial branches of government to prevent the president from becoming a supreme ruler.

The authority to use any or all of the 1,770 U.S.-deployed nuclear weapons — ready for use at any moment — is the president’s alone, without checks or balances. He has gone further and claimed the authority for the U.S. to resume explosive nuclear testing. The movie makes clear that even one nuclear weapon can kill millions of people.

“A House of Dynamite” is fictional, but based on the reality that we are living in such a house with our president having supreme command authority. This can be changed without compromising our national security. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is a co-sponsor of H. Res. 317 with proposals to “lead the world back from the brink of nuclear war,” including creating checks and balances on the sole presidential authority to use nuclear weapons. The Senate version is S. Res. 323. Rep. Golden, Sen. Collins and Sen. King should join Rep. Pingree and endorse this legislation and work to have it approved .

Douglas Dransfield, MD
Cape Elizabeth