POLITICO Energy Trump’s mass firings are hitting federal energy agencies
Feb 19, 2025
Alex Guillén, an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro, dives into the recent mass firings across federal energy and environmental agencies under the Trump administration. He discusses how this aggressive downsizing impacts thousands of workers and the implications for agency functionality. The conversation also touches on a significant resignation in the Justice Department over climate funding disputes, revealing tensions surrounding budget allocations. Lawmakers’ reactions to these firings highlight the evolving landscape of federal energy policy.
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Mass Firings at Federal Agencies
- Thousands of federal employees, especially from energy and environmental agencies, were fired.
- The firings primarily targeted probationary workers, but this includes long-term employees who recently changed roles.
Indiscriminate Firings and Rehirings
- Firings appear indiscriminate, with some agencies firing critical staff then rehiring them.
- The National Nuclear Security Administration, responsible for nuclear safety, had to recall fired employees.
Future Firings and RIFs
- More firings, or "reductions in force" (RIFs), are expected.
- RIFs will affect a wider range of employees, beyond probationary workers, and intensify the impact.