Tactical nukes are a different kind of banana than icbm’s.
Both sides have wanted to get data on how these work in real war situations.
Rumor, heard in the 70s from a relative, who had it told to him by somebody who had heard (etc):
The US Army ran simulations about Russia attacking Western Europe which gave control over tactical nuclear weapons to the field commanders.
When NATO started losing (which happened from time to time in the drills) the generals reached for the biggest nukes that could use — and took out their own troops along with the Russians.
Tactical nukes, now THAT would be an October surprise! Would that be an excuse to “postpone” the election? We can’t have people vote in fallout. Just stay in your shelter and vote by mail.