In an unexpected reversal, former President Donald Trump had to backtrack on plans to lay off hundreds of workers responsible for overseeing America’s nuclear arsenal.
The decision to cut jobs, which had already affected approximately 1,200 to 2,000 employees at the Department of Energy, created immediate controversy, particularly among those within the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a key agency responsible for managing the nation’s nuclear stockpile.
Trump Administration Faces Backlash Over Layoffs
Among the workers impacted, 325 employees from the NNSA, a critical arm of the Department of Energy, were initially let go.
However, following widespread criticism and concerns over national security, a source close to the matter revealed that the layoffs were “partly rescinded.”
It remains unclear exactly how many of those positions have been reinstated, but the Department of Energy spokesperson clarified that fewer than 50 workers were ultimately fired, and that the cuts primarily affected administrative roles.
Despite this clarification, insiders familiar with the NNSA’s operations expressed frustration, noting that the firings included supervisory roles for contractors who help build and regulate nuclear weapons.
This, they argue, showed a lack of understanding about the importance of the agency’s work in protecting nuclear security.
Layoffs Part of Larger Federal Workforce Cuts
The NNSA layoffs are just a part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to reduce the size of the federal government, with Elon Musk’s DOGE playing a significant role in driving these efforts.
The layoffs spanned several government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Interior, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services, with more than 9,500 employees impacted.
In addition, the White House had already planned further workforce reductions, which could affect up to 200,000 employees, or roughly 3% of the entire civilian federal workforce.
The goal is to eliminate waste, fraud, and inefficiency within the bureaucracy, a stance President Trump and Musk have strongly advocated.
Criticism and Concerns Over Cuts to Essential Services
Critics, including former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, have been quick to call out the administration’s actions, particularly the firing of employees responsible for managing the country’s nuclear weapons.
Buttigieg highlighted the incompetence of firing such key personnel and then quickly undoing those decisions.
Meanwhile, some agencies have faced budget cuts that have raised alarms about the impact on vital services, including wildfire management in California.
Sweeping Reforms and Future Workforce Reductions
The workforce cuts don’t end there. Under Trump’s order, probationary federal employees—those with less than a year of service—are among the first to face layoffs.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has ordered the firing of these employees who have yet to secure civil service protections, signaling that more substantial reductions are on the horizon.
While Trump’s administration argues that the government is bloated and inefficient, Democrats have raised concerns about the constitutional implications of such large-scale reductions without congressional approval.
Despite this, many Republicans have supported the president’s moves.
The Role of Elon Musk in Government Reform
Elon Musk, with his strong influence on federal budget cuts through DOGE, has been a vocal proponent of reducing government spending.
During a recent video call at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Musk suggested eliminating entire government agencies to streamline operations, drawing further attention to his growing influence in shaping government policy.
Expanding Cuts and Anticipating More Reductions
The layoffs are part of a broader effort to reduce the federal workforce, with some agencies like the National Science Foundation and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) bracing for significant cuts.
HUD is expected to lose up to half of its workforce in the coming months, with the National Science Foundation facing similar reductions.
President Trump’s approach to federal cuts prioritizes non-essential government functions while allowing for exceptions in critical areas like public safety.
The plan also establishes a stricter hiring process, requiring approval from DOGE representatives before new positions are filled.
As Trump continues to push for a leaner government, the controversy surrounding the nuclear security layoffs serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between reducing waste and maintaining national security.
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