Donald Trump has had to make a quick reversal on firing hundreds of workers who oversee America’s nuclear arsenal.
The Department of Energy laid off approximately 1,200 to 2,000 workers last Friday as part of its efforts to reduce wasteful spending in Washington, DC, in alignment with Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative.
That included 325 from the National Nuclear Security Administration, which looks after the nuclear stockpile and material worldwide, sources said.
But those layoffs have been ‘partly rescinded’ to retain essential nuclear security workers, one of the insiders revealed.
While the specifics were not entirely clear, reports indicated that out of the 325 planned layoffs, fewer than 50 employees were actually terminated. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) currently employs around 1,800 individuals.
They clarified the cuts were from people who ‘held primarily administrative and clerical roles.’
In a statement following the layoffs, officials reassured the public that the Energy Department remains committed to its vital role in safeguarding national security through nuclear deterrence. They emphasized the agency’s continued focus on overseeing the development, modernization, and responsible management of the country’s nuclear weapons program, as well as promoting the peaceful applications of nuclear technology and preventing proliferation.
However, multiple people close to the NNSA told CNN that those fired included supervisors for contractors who build weapons, weapons inspectors and those who regulate weapons contractors.
Donald Trump had to make a quick reversal on his decision to fire several workers wo oversee America’s nuclear arsenal
About 325 were allegedly fired from the National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the nuclear stockpile, sources familiar with the matter said. But those layoffs at have been ‘partly rescinded’ to retain essential nuclear security workers, one of the sources said.
They added that the White Hosue didn’t seem to understand the work the agency does in protecting nuclear weapons.
‘[N]o one has taken anytime to understand what we do and the importance of our work to the nation’s national security,’ the source claimed.
HR workers were told to use poor performance reviews as an excuse to fire people, which led to two employees quitting Friday.
Liberals jumped on the firings, including former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
‘Even worse incompetence: they accidentally fired, then apparently today un-fired, hundreds of the people who manage America’s nuclear weapons,’ he wrote.
The campaign by Trump and ‘First Buddy’ Elon Musk to radically cut back the U.S. bureaucracy spread on Friday, firing more than 9,500 workers who handled everything from managing federal lands to caring for military veterans.
Workers at the departments of Interior, Energy, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and Health and Human Services had their employment terminated in a drive that so far has largely – but not exclusively – targeted probationary employees in their first year on the job who have fewer employment protections.
The Trump administration and Department of Government Efficiency has already ordered the feds to lay off nearly all probationary workers who had not yet gained civil service protection.
It was unclear how many of the 325 firings were pulled back while a spokesman for the department said fewer than 50 people had been let go. The NNSA has a staff of 1,800
Liberals jumped on the firings, including former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg
In addition, workers at some agencies were warned that large workplace cuts would be coming, in moves that could effect 200,000 employees.
That equals about 3% of the 2.3 million person civilian workforce. While about 20% of the workers are in Washington D.C., and the neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia, more than 80% live outside the Capitol region.
Thursday’s order was an expansion of previous directions from OPM, which told agencies earlier this week that probationary employees should be fired if they weren´t meeting high standards.
Trump´s initial attempt to downsize the workforce was the deferred resignation program, commonly described as a buyout, which offered to pay people until Sept. 30 if they agreed to quit.
The decision on probationary workers, who generally have less than a year on the job, came from the Office of Personnel Management, which serves as a human resources department for the federal government.
The notification was confirmed by a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.
It´s expected to be the first step in sweeping layoffs. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday that told agency leaders to plan for ‘large-scale reductions in force.’
Other spending cuts have raised concerns that vital services were in danger. A month after wildfires devastated Los Angeles, federal programs have stopped hiring seasonal firefighters and halted removal of fire hazards such as dead wood from forests, according to organizations impacted by the reductions.
Trump´s initial attempt to downsize the workforce was the deferred resignation program, commonly described as a buyout, which offered to pay people until Sept. 30 if they agreed to quit
Trump says the federal government is too bloated and too much money is lost to waste and fraud.
The government has some $36 trillion in debt and ran a $1.8 trillion deficit last year, and there is bipartisan agreement on the need for reform.
But congressional Democrats say Trump is encroaching on the legislature’s constitutional authority over federal spending, even as his fellow Republicans who control majorities in both chambers of Congress have largely supported the moves.
Musk, whom President Trump has given wide leeway to slash government spending with DOGE, called Thursday for the elimination of whole agencies.
‘I think we do need to delete entire agencies as opposed to leave a lot of them behind,’ Musk said via a videocall to the World Governments Summit in Dubai , United Arab Emirates. ‘If we don´t remove the roots of the weed, then it´s easy for the weed to grow back.’
The firing of probationary employees began earlier this week and has included Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Education workers.
At least 39 were fired from the Education Department on Wednesday, according to a union that represents agency workers, including civil rights workers, special education specialists and student aid officials.
Employees at the National Science Foundation and Housing and Urban Development Department were told this week that large reductions, in some cases a halving of the workforce, would be coming, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it.
Workers at some agencies were warned that large workplace cuts would be coming, in moves that could effect 200,000 employees
Elon Musk, whom President Trump has given wide leeway to slash government spending with his Department of Government Efficiency, called Thursday for the elimination of whole agencies
The National Science Foundation was told to expect a 25% to 50% reduction in force within two months, while the Housing and Urban Development Department was told to plan for a 50% reduction, the person said.
Employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were also bracing Thursday for reductions in their workforce.
The order Trump signed Tuesday stipulated that government functions not required by law would be prioritized for cuts and hiring will be restricted.
With exceptions for functions such as public safety, only one employee can be added for every four that leave. In addition, new hires would generally need the approval from a representative of the DOGE, expanding the influence of Musk´s team.
Trump, speaking to reporters later at the White House, praised Musk´s work to slash federal spending.
‘We´re looking for waste, fraud and abuse,’ he said. ‘That´s what Elon is working so hard on.’
The Republican president has also been sharply critical of federal workers, especially those who want to keep working remotely.
