Confusion and turmoil erupted at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) over the past two days due to mass firings enacted by the Trump administration, before a surprising “pause” was declared on Friday.
Interviews with multiple current and former NNSA employees, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to fears of retaliation, revealed that officials received a mere few hours to terminate hundreds of employees. Many were locked out of their email accounts as termination notices flooded in. This mass dismissal was linked to a broader initiative within the Department of Energy, reportedly affecting over a thousand workers, aimed at decreasing federal expenditures.
The NNSA, a semi-autonomous agency within the Department of Energy responsible for overseeing the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, was reportedly denied exemptions for national security despite its mission’s critical importance. Employees were rushed to draft descriptions outlining the necessity of around 300 probationary roles this past week.
Managers were allocated only 200 characters to justify the importance of these roles within the agency which encompasses vital tasks, including maintaining the nation’s nuclear arsenal and endorsing significant safety upgrades for warheads. Numerous personnel held “Q” clearances, the highest clearance level afforded by the Department of Energy.
In the preceding days, management frantically compiled lists of essential workers, imploring that their positions be preserved. Unfortunately, the majority of these requests were corrupted into chaos when, on Thursday, the administration denied nearly all exemptions. Multiple employees reported being informed verbally about their termination, with many having to leave their desks immediately.
Subsequent communication regarding terminations created further confusion. Some employees received formal termination letters only after being shut out from their work emails, with one letter stating, “your further employment would not be in the public interest.” However, other employees who were informed of their dismissal never received official written notice.
Current NNSA staff reported a state of uncertainty, with many unsure whether they had been truly fired. “Nobody knows if they’re fired or not,” one perplexed employee noted. Meanwhile, some retained access to work equipment that did not include classified data.
As of Friday, NNSA officials confirmed that all firings were “paused” due to the hasty and chaotic nature of the process. While some employees’ termination notices were rescinded, many expressed concerns that the damage to morale and operational integrity might already be permanent. Given the specialized nature of nuclear security work, coupled with inadequate compensation, the question looms: “Why would anyone want to take these jobs?”
