Reports claim Donald Trump officials fired hundreds of employees at an agency managing America’s nuclear arsenal without realizing its role in national security. Sources told CNN which indicate over 300 staffers were dismissed Thursday night at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which oversees the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile.
However, the numbers remain disputed. An Energy Department spokesperson contradicted these reports, stating that “less than 50 people” were “dismissed” from NNSA and that the dismissed staffers “held primarily administrative and clerical roles.”
NNSA employs approximately 1,800 staff nationwide at various facilities. Some fired employees reportedly worked directly at facilities where nuclear weapons are built, overseeing contractors and inspecting weapons. Others wrote guidelines for nuclear weapon contractors.
Many dismissed employees held probationary status, meaning they had worked at the agency for under one year and had fewer job protections. By Friday morning, officials began rescinding some terminations in what appears to be a rapid reversal of their decision.
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Details About The Staff Dismissals
Mass firings at NNSA began Thursday night, affecting staff whose jobs directly impact nuclear security operations. According to CNN, sources report that Trump administration officials terminated employees with little warning and then started reversing those decisions by Friday morning. Among those fired were staff who work at facilities where nuclear weapons are built. These employees perform vital oversight functions – they supervise contractors who build weapons, conduct inspections, and write technical guidelines and requirements.
One NNSA staff member expressed frustration about the situation, saying: “no one has taken anytime to understand what we do and the importance of our work to the nation’s national security.” Reports suggest Trump officials may not have realized the NNSA’s role in managing America’s nuclear arsenal when making staffing decisions. Most terminated employees held probationary status, meaning they had been employed for less than a year or two years in some cases. Staff at one NNSA division – Office of Secure Transportation – were reportedly spared from cuts. These employees handle the secure movement of nuclear weapons across the country.
Agency Quickly Reverses The Terminations
Just hours after the mass firings, NNSA leadership began reversing termination decisions. Acting NNSA administrator Teresa Robbins called a meeting with staff on Friday morning to address the situation.
During this meeting, Robbins announced that the agency had received instructions to rescind probationary employee terminations. She told staff that probationary NNSA employees who had not been fired were safe. Additionally, all NNSA employees who lost access to the agency’s network and internal IT systems would have their access restored.
Robbins offered hope to those already terminated, stating: “There is a good probability that most or all probationary employees who were fired could return.” However, another source familiar with the situation expressed uncertainty about how many staff would actually return, saying simply: “we don’t know” how many people will be returning. As mentioned previously, staff at the Office of Secure Transportation—responsible for safely moving nuclear weapons throughout the country—were exempted from terminations, highlighting the mixed approach to these staffing decisions.
Congressional Alarm Over Nuclear Security Risks
News of the NNSA staff dismissals quickly reached Capitol Hill, prompting immediate concern among lawmakers. According to sources familiar with the situation, “Congress is freaking out because it appears DOE didn’t really realize NNSA oversees the nuclear stockpile.”
Several senators reportedly met directly with Energy Secretary Chris Wright to express their worries about potential gaps in nuclear security oversight resulting from these staff cuts.
One source emphasized the gravity of maintaining proper nuclear oversight: “The nuclear deterrent is the backbone of American security and stability – period. For there to be any even very small holes poked even in the maintenance of that deterrent should be extremely frightening to people.”
Additional sources noted strong bipartisan support for the agency’s mission. One stated, “There is strong support on the Hill for NNSA in nuclear modernization writ large,” while another added, “Clearly, NNSA is a key agency. There have been lawmakers with concerns.”
Lawmakers appear worried about losing experienced staff who understand complex nuclear security protocols and oversight requirements, especially given the agency’s small size relative to its massive responsibility.
NNSA’s Role In National Security
NNSA employs approximately 1,800 staff across various facilities nationwide. Many of those affected by recent terminations held probationary status – meaning they had worked at the agency for less than one year (or two years in some cases) and had fewer job protections than permanent employees. Beyond managing America’s nuclear weapons stockpile, NNSA performs several other major security functions. Agency staff help secure nuclear materials nationwide and monitor nuclear risks globally.
One source highlighted an important international monitoring role: “NNSA maintains sensors in Ukraine to help track nuclear risks, whether intentional or unintentional.” Such monitoring capabilities became particularly relevant following reports of a Russian drone attack on a Chernobyl power plant reactor in Ukraine on Thursday.
Staff reductions at NNSA come at a time of heightened global nuclear tensions, with one source describing the layoffs as simply “frightening” given current security challenges. NNSA employees include specialists who inspect nuclear weapons, oversee contractors building nuclear components, and write technical specifications and safety guidelines – roles that require specialized knowledge that is difficult to replace quickly.
Current Status Of The Situation
Developments regarding NNSA staffing remain fluid as agency leadership works to address terminations issued Thursday night. While some probationary employees may return to work, exact numbers remain unclear.
A Department of Energy spokesperson issued a statement affirming: “The Energy Department will continue its mission of protecting our national security and nuclear deterrence in the development, modernization, and stewardship of America’s atomic weapons enterprise, including the peaceful use of nuclear technology and nonproliferation.”
Sources familiar with the matter revealed additional concerns about how terminations were handled. According to one source, political officials at the Energy Department instructed non-political HR administrators to cite poor performance in personnel files as justification for firing the employees. Two HR employees reportedly submitted resignations on Friday, frustrated by pressure from political appointees.
DOE declined to comment on claims about performance-based termination rationales when contacted by media outlets.
Acting NNSA administrator Teresa Robbins has taken steps to restore access for affected employees whose system permissions were revoked during the termination process, but a complete resolution remains pending.
Uncertainty Clouds Nuclear Security Staffing
Conflicting accounts surround NNSA terminations. Initial reports cite 300+ dismissals, while the Energy Department claims “less than 50.” The Trump administration and DOE have not provided complete responses about the decision-making process. Sources describe the situation as “extremely fluid,” with ongoing reversals and uncertainty about staff reinstatements.
This confusion raises critical questions about transition management in security agencies. Nuclear experts warn that even minor oversight disruptions could significantly impact America’s nuclear deterrent capabilities. The specialized expertise required in nuclear security operations often takes years to develop, making institutional knowledge particularly valuable.
As global nuclear tensions persist, bipartisan congressional concern highlights NNSA’s critical mission. The incident underscores the challenge of balancing new administration priorities with national security continuity. Updates will follow as the situation develops.
