Oops! Trump's Team Accidentally Fired Key Nuclear Staff

In a surprising turn of events, over 300 employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) were let go. This agency is responsible for managing the country's nuclear weapons. However, it seems that the officials who made this decision were not aware of the NNSA's crucial role. The Energy Department initially claimed that fewer than 50 people were dismissed. They also said that these staffers were mainly in administrative and clerical roles. But sources revealed that some of the fired employees were key personnel at nuclear weapon facilities and headquarters. These employees oversee contractors who build nuclear weapons and inspect these weapons. The firings sparked concern among members of Congress. They reached out to the Energy Department to express their worries. A source revealed that senators even visited Energy Secretary Chris Wright to discuss the issue. The concern was that the nuclear deterrent, which is vital for American security, might be compromised. The NNSA has around 1800 staff members across the country. The only probationary staffers who were not fired were those working in the Office of Secure Transportation. This office is responsible for safely transporting nuclear weapons. The situation took a dramatic turn on Friday morning. Acting NNSA administrator Teresa Robbins announced that the agency had received orders to reverse the terminations of probationary employees. Robbins also stated that if probationary NNSA employees had not yet been fired, their jobs were now secure. All NNSA employees whose access to the agency’s network and internal IT systems was shut off would be turned back on. However, the situation remains uncertain. One source said, "We don’t know how many people will be returning. " The Energy Department spokesperson assured that the department will continue its mission of protecting national security and nuclear deterrence. Political officials at the Energy Department instructed non-political HR administrators to use poor performance as a reason for firing the employees. Two HR employees, frustrated by the pressure from political appointees, resigned on Friday. The NNSA not only oversees America’s nuclear weapons but also helps secure nuclear material nationwide. Sources highlighted the importance of this mission, especially in light of the Russian drone attack on a Chernobyl power plant reactor in Ukraine. The layoffs are seen as frightening, given the NNSA's role in maintaining sensors in Ukraine to track nuclear risks.