On cost-cutting spree, DOGE fires staff of US nuclear weapons agency, revokes decision after realising mistake

Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is on a massive cost-cutting spree, and much like how he did it with Twitter, people are being laid off without realising the crucial roles they play in the function of the system. One such case that has recently surfaced involves the National Nuclear Security Administration, where the Trump administration officials fired more than 300 staffers on Thursday night.

CREDIT: AP

US nuclear agency staff fired

According to reports, the job cuts at NNSA were part of broader Energy Department layoffs, but there was a problem ¨C those let go included staff managing the nation¡¯s nuclear stockpile.

CNN, which first reported the development, said some of the fired employees included NNSA staff who are on the ground at facilities where nuclear weapons are built.

Employees at NNSA headquarters, who write requirements and guidelines for contractors who build nuclear weapons, were also among those let go.

'Fired without knowing what we do'

NNSA had requested a national security exemption to DOGE layoffs, but their request was denied.

CREDIT: AP

"DOE finds that your further employment would not be in the public interest. For this reason, you are being removed from your position with DOE and the federal civil service effective today," the letter sent to laid-off employees read.

An unnamed official told CNN that NNSA were fired because ¡°no one has taken anytime to understand what we do and the importance of our work to the nation¡¯s national security.¡±

Most NNSA staff reinstated

However, on second thoughts, on Friday, most of the 325 workers who were let go were reinstated.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Acting NNSA administrator Teresa Robbins said the agency had received direction to rescind the termination of probationary employees.

Musk's mindless cost-cutting

Musk, who had initially promised to save $2 trillion in federal spending through DOGE, has entrusted mostly engineers who had worked with him in the past and have no administrative knowledge to identify where spending cuts can be implemented. One of them, who was forced to resign after his past racist comments resurfaced, was rehired by Musk after conducting a poll on X.

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