Oops, president Bill Clinton lost the nuclear launch codes for several months during his second term in office. It’s something that the former commander in chief has never mentioned or admitted to, but at least two former high ranking military officers have confirmed the rumor, but with slightly different versions.
It’s not uncommon for people to lose or misplace things. It can even at times lead to a humerus affair, such as when someone is looking for their spectacles while all the time wearing them. However, nuclear launch codes, Mr president, are hardly an every day item. One would have expected a little more care would have been used to ensure their safe storage.
The then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Hugh Shelton, claims that president Bill Clinton lost the nuclear launch codes in 2000, towards the end of his time in office. General Shelton’s version of events have been slightly contradicted by another high ranking military officer.
the codes were actually missing for months. […] That’s a big deal — a gargantuan deal. – General Hugh Shelton
Retired Air Force Lt. Col Robert Patterson has a slightly different recollection of the event. He claims president Bill Clinton misplaced the nuclear launch codes the day after the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke in 1998. Either way, it certainly looks as though they were not to be found if needed.
