The Trump administration suddenly reversed plans to fire over 300 National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) staff in a chaotic move that left employees locked out of facilities and national security experts condemning reckless cost-cutting by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Workers responsible for maintaining America’s nuclear arsenal — including warhead reassembly teams — were barred from secure sites before receiving layoff notices, according to internal agency documents obtained by AP.
NNSA reinstated nearly all terminated staff within 24 hours, but insiders report widespread distrust among veteran specialists.
The DOGE team understands spreadsheets, not molten salt reactors,said Arms Control Association director Daryl Kimball. Slashing the nuclear weapons workforce during a $750 billion modernization drive is like changing pilots mid-flight.
Key facilities impacted include:
- Pantex Plant (Texas): 30% of warhead engineers cut
- Savannah River Lab (South Carolina)
- Hanford Nuclear Site (Washington)
The DOE initially claimed only 50 probationary administrative workers were affected, but leaked data shows 2,000+ department-wide layoffs targeting climate teams and nuclear waste managers. Congressional Democrats called the action a dangerous disregard for institutional knowledge as over 60% of NNSA staff have less than five years’ experience.
Nuclear modernization projects now at risk include next-gen ICBMs and submarine warheads. Union of Concerned Scientists expert Edwin Lyman noted:
This sends global adversaries one message: America’s nuclear oversight is unraveling.
While DOGE officials cite fiscal responsibility, analysts warn staffing instability could undermine safety at radioactive waste sites like Oak Ridge (Tennessee) and Hanford – where 177 plutonium waste tanks require constant monitoring to prevent ecological disasters.