Summary
The Trump administration initially laid off 1,200–2,000 Department of Energy employees, including 325 from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
Some of these firings were later reversed amid security concerns.
The layoffs, linked to Elon Musk’s DOGE, sparked criticism from Democrats and mixed reactions from Republicans.
It remains unclear how many employees were reinstated.
The administration has not formally addressed the controversy, and DOGE’s role in the decision is still uncertain.
Wow that article really carries a lot of water. Trimming fat and reigning in spending huh? How can any news outlet credibly claim this is about cost savings. The amount of wastage being caused by this chaos alone will likely make it a wash for the next two years. Not to mention the vastly larger sums of money the govt outlays in virtually every other area of govt.
I also wish they’d discuss how the employees are being laid off. As many keep mentioning, govt is not a business, and it does not operate line one. Was this DOE terminating probationary employees? Was this an RIF procedure? Because those have strict guidelines about selection and I doubt you’d end up having essential nuclear security workers included. Even if it were probationary employees, the OPM memo allows leeway at the agency level to preserve some amount of these essential positions/departments. Were all of those nuclear security workers part of a woke DEI initiative to increase minority visibility in the nuclear protection workplace?
Given the scale of fuckup here, I’m guessing DOGE just said fire these list of people based on who knows what and the agency leadership appointee-stooges just sent out the emails, oblivious of regulation and worker protections, or even their own best interest with respect to guarding nuclear stockpiles and radiological materials. Mostly because no person involved in that loop HAS A FUCKING CLUE WHAT THEY’RE DOING.
AFAIK you simply can’t just “lay off” competitive service / excepted federal workers. Of course, as we know, laws and regulations mean nothing to the current admin so that very likely wouldn’t stop them or their lackeys installed in leadership at the agencies.
If any of the laid off can afford it, I hope they ignore the recall. Sue the govt and hopefully it works out. No one should consider doing new business with the federal government. It’s clear that no contract will be honored and no promise kept, if it doesn’t suit the admin/admin minders’ aims.