WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — The White House is reportedly working to reinstate hundreds of workers tasked with overseeing the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile.
Last week, more than 300 staffers at the National Nuclear Security Administration were fired as part of wider layoffs at the Department of Energy. However, the cuts may have overlooked critical roles, leading to the reveal of some terminations.
While the Energy Department insists there’s no need for concern, lawmakers are demanding answers.
Lawmakers want answers on NNSA layoffs
Washington Sen. Patty Murray and Ohio Rep. Marcy Kaptur, both Democrats, are calling for an immediate briefing from new Energy Secretary Chris Wright. They warn that until they are briefed on these “haphazard and thoughtless firings,” they “will not know the damage to our country and the world.”
The NNSA, responsible for protecting and managing the U.S. nuclear arsenal, reportedly planned to cut 325 to 350 employees Thursday. But by Friday, managers received an email telling them to stop all actions with terminations.
The Energy Department now claims less than 50 layoffs occurred, affecting staff in administrative or clerical roles in their probationary period. The department insists these job cuts will not impact the security of the weapons.
FEMA staff laid off ahead of Kentucky floods
Meanwhile, other federal agencies have announced mass layoffs, including 20 immigration judges the Justice Department fired over the weekend. The firings occurred despite the massive backlog of more than 3.5 million cases, according to the Congressional Research Service.
The Department of Health and Human Services cut 5,200 jobs, impacting agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration. The Department of Homeland Security let go 400 workers, including FEMA staff, just days before devastating flooding hit Kentucky. The Department of Interior laid off 2,300 workers, while 1,000 positions were eliminated at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Federal job cuts hurt Americans: Rep. Raskin
Democrats accuse the White House of trying to hurt Americans.
“They’re getting rid of anything in the government that supports consumers, that supports citizens against the rip-off artists who are their friends,” Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin.
Some of those affected include Chelsea Milburn, a Navy veteran, who became disabled and moved to the public affairs office at the Department of Education in November. She told NewsNation the U.S. claims to support veterans but that about 30% of federal workers are veterans, many of whom were laid off this week.
“I think that all of us who were impacted by this deserve to be treated better. I especially think that people who serve their country deserve better,” Milburn said. “Considering that about 30% of the federal workforce are veterans. This has a huge impact on the veteran community.”
Republicans argue the country’s debt is becoming a national security risk and these decisions are necessary. More job cuts are expected as the Department of Government Efficiency continues to analyze where to downsize next.
“We hate that anybody’s losing their job, but at the same time, we know that the debt that we have in this country is not manageable, and it’s becoming a national security risk,” said Republican Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin.
