1A ICYMI: Trump Fired And Unfired The Employees That Manage Our Nuclear Stockpile
Feb 19, 2025
Ella Nilsson, CNN's senior climate reporter, dives into the whirlwind of recent firings and reinstatements at the National Nuclear Security Administration. She explains the chaos caused by abrupt personnel changes, emphasizing the risks to national security. The discussion highlights the crucial role of these employees in managing the U.S. nuclear stockpile, as well as the challenges in monitoring global nuclear threats, such as those arising from the situation in Ukraine. Nilsson also sheds light on the communication breakdowns that led to this administrative upheaval.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
NNSA Firings and Rehirings
- The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) experienced chaotic firings and rehirings.
- Over 320 employees, including those at nuclear weapon facilities and headquarters, were initially fired, then some were quickly reinstated.
Impact of Firings
- The firings at the NNSA, including staff at nuclear weapon facilities, raised concerns due to their sensitive nature.
- Congressional intervention prompted some reversals, highlighting a disconnect between the Department of Energy and the NNSA's national security mission.
Unusual Firing Process
- The NNSA firings deviated from standard HR procedures, with some employees losing access before notification.
- HR was reportedly not consulted, and terminations occurred late at night, further adding to the confusion.