The U.S. Energy Department has identified 8,500 positions as “non-essential,” which includes roles overseeing the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, in preparation for potential workforce reductions mandated by Elon Musk’s government efficiency team. These roles represent about half of the department’s total workforce of 17,500, as outlined in a document reviewed by Bloomberg News. The identified positions span across various departments, including the National Nuclear Security Administration.
This initiative is part of an agency-wide review prompted by President Donald Trump, who has tasked Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency with finding ways to reduce costs and decrease the size of the federal workforce. Agencies across the government have been instructed to develop plans for staff reductions.
In an official statement, the department clarified that no final decisions have been reached and several plans are still under consideration. Specifically, the document highlights that 500 out of 3,000 positions within the National Nuclear Security Administration are considered non-essential.
The information was initially reported by The Associated Press. Earlier in the year, the agency caused concern after suddenly terminating hundreds of workers responsible for the design and maintenance of the nation’s nuclear arsenal, though this decision was later reversed.
The U.S. Energy Department, which has responsibilities ranging from managing the nation’s emergency oil reserves to safeguarding the power grid against cyberattacks, has already placed nearly 1,300 staff members on administrative leave following their acceptance of deferred resignation offers. Additionally, the agency has terminated 555 probationary employees, as noted in the document.
Congressional Democrats, including Senator Patty Murray and Representative Marcy Kaptur, have criticized the cutbacks, arguing they jeopardize national security. In a statement, the lawmakers warned that indiscriminate staffing reductions could dangerously impair the department’s ability to achieve its objectives and could lead to increased energy costs for Americans.
