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On Thursday night, officials from the Trump administration initiated a substantial reduction in staffing at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), leading to the termination of over 300 employees. This move is part of wider layoffs within the Department of Energy, as confirmed by multiple sources familiar with the developments.
Reports indicated a troubling lack of awareness among some officials regarding the crucial oversight role the NNSA plays in managing the United States’ nuclear arsenal.
In response to inquiries from CNN, a spokesperson for the Energy Department contested the reported figures, asserting that only “less than 50 people” from the NNSA had been dismissed, predominantly from administrative and clerical positions.
Following these layoffs, the agency began the process of reversing some of the terminations on Friday morning.
Among those affected were essential personnel involved in the construction and inspection of nuclear weapons at various facilities. Some dismissed employees were responsible for overseeing contractors involved in nuclear weapons production, while others were stationed at NNSA headquarters, where they formulated requirements and guidelines for those same contractors. Sources suggest the firings stemmed from a general unfamiliarity with the critical importance of these roles for national security.
Congressional members expressed their alarm over the NNSA personnel cuts to the Energy Department, with some senators personally confronting Energy Secretary Chris Wright about the issue.
“Congress is alarmed because it appears the DOE did not fully grasp that the NNSA oversees the nuclear stockpile,” one source stated. “The nuclear deterrent is foundational to American security and stability. Any potential disruption in its maintenance should be a cause for concern.”
The NNSA employs approximately 1,800 staff across various facilities nationwide. The sole exception to the recent layoffs were employees at the Office of Secure Transportation, which is responsible for the safe transportation of nuclear materials.
Despite the upheaval, there appears to be significant support for the NNSA’s objectives within Congress, particularly regarding nuclear modernization. Lawmakers have voiced their apprehensions regarding the agency’s future and operations.
During a meeting on Friday, acting NNSA Administrator Teresa Robbins conveyed that reversing the terminations of probationary employees was now a priority. Probationary workers are those who have typically served less than a year at the agency and thus have limited job protections.
Robbins reassured attendees that jobs for those probationary employees who had not yet been terminated were secure and that access to the agency’s internal systems would be restored to affected employees.
It was noted that there is a strong possibility that most, if not all, of the terminated probationary employees could return, although a source indicated that the situation remains uncertain and dynamic.
While NNSA representatives directed media inquiries back to the Energy Department, a DOE spokesperson emphasized its commitment to maintaining national security through the development and stewardship of the nuclear weapons program.
Political pressure influenced how termination decisions were justified, with reports indicating that non-political HR staff were instructed to cite employee performance issues. This pressure led to the resignation of two HR employees in frustration.
The NNSA’s responsibilities extend beyond managing nuclear weapons; it also plays a vital role in securing nuclear materials across the United States. The urgency of its mission is underscored by recent events, such as the recent drone assault on a reactor at the Chernobyl facility in Ukraine.
“NNSA maintains sensors in Ukraine to monitor nuclear risks, both intentional and unintentional,” noted a source, adding that the recent layoffs have raised significant alarms about the agency’s capability to fulfill its essential functions.
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