The process of handing over the nuclear briefcase to Trump on inauguration day

The exact moment Donald Trump received the code to activate the nuclear football from his predecessor is kept secret for security reasons.

The nuclear briefcase is an inseparable object, never out of reach of the US president. Photo: BBC

On the inauguration day of US President-elect Donald Trump, an unnamed military aide will accompany President Barack Obama to the transfer of power ceremony on Capitol Hill (US Congress building) in Washington DC, according to BBC.

The military assistant would carry a leather bag containing the "nuclear football" suitcase, along with a digital hard card, measuring 7.3 x 12 cm, nicknamed the "biscuit", containing the codes that would allow a nuclear attack to be launched.

At the moment the US President-elect is sworn in, this assistant will carry the leather bag and quietly move to his side.

A closed-door meeting is then held to show Mr Trump how to use the passcode and briefcase, the timing of which has been kept secret for security reasons.

However, according to Politico, many former US presidents were previously instructed by special military officials on how to use the nuclear briefcase just hours before the inauguration, in a closed room in the presidential guest house at 1651-1653 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC, across from the White House Executive Office building.

Thus, it is likely that Mr. Trump will be informed about the nuclear suitcase early in the morning of January 20. After being sworn in, he will be the only person in the United States with the authority to order the launch of a nuclear attack with extremely destructive power.

According to the Washington Post, the "nuclear football" does not have a "button" as many people think. Instead, it contains devices and documents related to decision-making that Mr. Trump will use to authenticate the order to launch nuclear weapons.

The instructions contained in the "ball" are like a menu. Instead of choosing dishes, the US president will choose enemy cities or military facilities to attack.

According to Bill Gulley, former director of the White House Military Office, in addition to the "cookie" card, the "nuclear football" also contained a 75-page book containing options for launching a retaliatory nuclear strike printed in black and red ink, another book containing a list of top-secret locations that were safe havens for the president, and a 10-page document on how to operate the Emergency Broadcast System.

According to VNE