In a surprising turnaround, the US government is attempting to rehire nuclear safety personnel who were fired just days ago. The termination of these employees from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), part of the Department of Energy, raised alarms over potential national security risks. According to recent reports, while the NNSA’s spokesperson claims less than 50 employees were dismissed, other sources suggest the number may be over 300. The layoffs were part of a sweeping overhaul initiated by President Trump to reduce the federal workforce, launched shortly after his inauguration.
As part of the effort to minimize spending, the Trump administration had ordered numerous federal agencies to terminate nearly all probationary employees. This included those crucial to the maintenance of US nuclear weapons safety. Now, attempts are being made to reverse these terminations, yet officials are facing hurdles reaching the dismissed workers, as many have been locked out of their federal email accounts. An internal memo has urged employees to assist in communicating with those affected through personal contacts.
This incident is part of a larger trend, as nearly 10,000 federal workers were let go last week alone, in addition to thousands who opted to leave voluntarily. The Trump administration's aggressive cuts have sparked legal challenges and public outcry, with many worried about the implications for national security and government efficiency.
