Elon Musk's DOGE Cuts Undermine U.S. Nuclear Security Workforce

Over 150 experts managing America’s nuclear arsenal have been laid off or resigned, raising concerns about safety and modernization efforts.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has cut over 150 employees from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), including engineers, scientists, and safety experts.
The NNSA, already facing staffing shortages, is responsible for maintaining and modernizing the U.S. nuclear arsenal, a $20 billion annual effort involving 3,748 warheads and bombs.
Key positions affected include experts in uranium enrichment, plutonium pit production, and nuclear material transportation, critical for the U.S.'s nuclear modernization initiatives.
The cuts have disrupted oversight of federal contractors, who perform much of the nuclear work, raising concerns about safety, cost overruns, and project delays.
Experts warn that the loss of experienced personnel with top-secret clearances will hinder training replacements and jeopardize national security during a critical period of nuclear upgrades.