U.S. government scrambles to rehire recently fired nuclear security staff

The U.S. government is attempting to rehire nuclear safety employees it abruptly dismissed last Thursday after concerns arose that their termination could pose a threat to national security, according to multiple media reports.

The layoffs at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have raised significant concerns about national security, as the agency is responsible for the design, maintenance, and oversight of the United States’ nuclear weapons stockpile. The affected employees were among those dismissed as part of President Donald Trump’s aggressive effort to downsize the federal workforce, a campaign he initiated on his first day back in office less than a month ago.

Reports from U.S. media indicated that more than 300 NNSA employees were let go as part of broader cuts within the Department of Energy, which oversees nuclear security. However, a spokesperson for the department contested that number, stating that fewer than 50 employees were actually terminated.

Some of those dismissed were reportedly stationed at critical facilities involved in nuclear weapons production and maintenance, heightening concerns among security experts. Recognizing the potential risks associated with these layoffs, the Trump administration has since attempted to reinstate some of the employees. However, this process has been complicated by logistical challenges, as the terminated workers were locked out of their federal email accounts, making communication difficult. The administration is now scrambling to resolve the situation while facing mounting criticism over the handling of these dismissals.

In an internal memo obtained by sources, NNSA officials acknowledged the difficulty in contacting fired employees. The memo, sent on Friday, urged supervisors to help spread the word.

“The termination letters for some NNSA probationary employees are being rescinded, but we do not have a good way to get in touch with those personnel,” the memo stated. It further instructed staff to use personal contact emails to inform those affected that their dismissals were being reversed.

The layoffs at NNSA are just one part of Trump’s aggressive push to shrink government spending and federal employment. Last week alone, nearly 10,000 federal workers across multiple agencies were let go, according to several reports. This follows an earlier voluntary buyout program that saw an estimated 75,000 employees accept incentives to leave their positions in the fall.

Trump has vowed to slash spending across the board, targeting both domestic programs and foreign aid. His administration has even proposed eliminating entire departments, including the Department of Education.

Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, has played a key role in Trump’s effort to streamline government operations. Through his initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has deployed analysts to examine federal agencies’ spending and assist with implementing the administration’s workforce reduction strategy.

The sweeping layoffs, including those at NNSA, have sparked legal challenges. Since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, more than 60 lawsuits have been filed against his administration, many related to executive actions aimed at cutting government spending and restructuring federal agencies.

As legal battles continue, the administration now faces the added challenge of restoring critical nuclear security personnel, underscoring the risks of its aggressive workforce reduction strategy.