US Nuclear Security Agency Furloughs 1,400 Employees

The administration of President Donald Trump has announced that around 1,400 employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) will be placed on unpaid furlough starting next week, as the partial government shutdown continues.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed the move on the social media platform X, noting that the decision will affect key personnel responsible for modernizing the country’s nuclear arsenal.

The NNSA, a semi-autonomous branch of the Department of Energy, oversees the maintenance and testing of the United States’ nuclear weapons. 

The agency also works to secure dangerous nuclear materials worldwide, including in Ukraine. It employs approximately 2,000 federal workers who supervise around 60,000 contractors.

According to Wright, only about 400 employees will remain on duty as part of the “essential workforce”, while the furloughs could significantly disrupt ongoing nuclear weapons modernization programs.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers previously warned that the agency might be forced to furlough nearly 80% of its staff, sparking concerns among experts over the safety and security of nuclear facilities.