US Halts Layoffs of Nuclear Weapons Workers Amid Safety Concerns

The Trump administration has reversed its decision to lay off hundreds of federal employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), resulting in confusion among workers and raising safety concerns. Initially, up to 350 employees were abruptly terminated, with significant cuts at the Pantex Plant in Texas, which handles sensitive nuclear warhead reassembly. Critics, including Daryl Kimball of the Arms Control Association, argue that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team lacks understanding of the critical nature of these roles. Following backlash, acting director Teresa Robbins issued a memo rescinding the firings for all but 28 employees. This move contradicts the Department of Energy's earlier claims, which stated that fewer than 50 staff were let go. The situation highlights tensions over workforce management within critical national security agencies amid ongoing cost-cutting measures.