Experts criticize rapid layoffs and reinstatements at U.S. nuclear agency

Last Thursday, about 350 employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration were laid off, causing concern over national security. Many workers lost email access before receiving their termination notices. On Friday, the acting director rescinded most of the firings. The Department of Energy initially stated that the laid-off workers held mainly administrative roles. However, reports indicated that some were involved in sensitive tasks, such as building nuclear warheads and managing radioactive waste sites. The layoffs occurred amid efforts by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to cut thousands of jobs at the Department of Energy. Some reinstated workers are uncertain about returning due to the situation's instability.