US President Donald Trump’s camp has certainly been shaking things up since taking office, but this latest move has raised some eyebrows.
On Thursday night (February 13) reportedly more than 300 members of staff were fired at the National Nuclear Security Administration.
However, an Energy Department spokesperson has disputed this number and says the number is significantly lower.
Speaking to CNN, they said that ‘less than 50 people’ have been dismissed and that those that were ‘held primarily administrative and clerical roles’.
The NNSA has a rather important role in the government as the agency is responsible for managing the nation’s nuclear stockpile.
Interestingly, a source who spoke to the outlet said that the Trump officials did not seem to know this agency is responsible for the US’ nuclear weapons.
Some of the fired employees hold integral jobs, ensuring the function of the agency. This includes staff who are on the ground at facilities where nuclear weapons are built. These staff also oversee contractors who build the weapons as well as inspect them.
As well as these individuals, those fired include employees who write guidelines for contractors who build the weapons.
An anonymous source that spoke to CNN said the reason these individuals were fired was due to the fact ‘no one took anytime to understand what we do and the importance of our work to the nation’s national security.’
Some of those that were fired had their terminations rescinded the following morning in a peculiar 180.
Acting NNSA administrator Teresa Robbins held a meeting on Friday and said the agency had received direction to rescind the termination of probationary employees.
Those considered to be probationary workers tend to have been employed for less than a year or two years in some cases.
Robbins also clarified that if probationary employees had not already been fired, their jobs were safe.
Another source spoke to CNN and explained the feeling in Congress after this shock move to dismiss a significant number of employees.
The source said: “Congress is freaking out because it appears DOE didn’t really realize NNSA oversees the nuclear stockpile.
“The nuclear deterrent is the backbone of American security and stability – period. For there to be any even very small holes poked even in the maintenance of that deterrent should be extremely frightening to people.”
The Trump administration and the Department of Energy have been contacted for comment.