Amid the ongoing US government shutdown, several Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns over the Trump administration’s decision to furlough nearly 80% of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) workforce.

Representatives Melanie Stansbury, Teresa Leger Fernández, Eric Swalwell, and Dina Titus have written a joint letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright and NNSA Administrator Brandon Williams, warning that the step is “a grave risk” to US national security.

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Lawmakers warn of global repercussions

In their letter, the lawmakers said the decision to furlough 1,400 federal employees responsible for maintaining and securing the US nuclear stockpile was “unprecedented and politically motivated.” An excerpt of the letter read, “Undermining the agency’s workforce at such a challenging time for the US global leadership diminishes our credible deterrence, emboldens our international adversaries, and makes the world a more dangerous place.”

According to a notice from Congress, around 375 Department of Energy direct hires will continue working, while the rest will be temporarily suspended.

The lawmakers said that this marks the first time in NNSA’s 25-year history that such large-scale furloughs have occurred during a government shutdown. They also warned that the decision will leave the Department of Defence without its NNSA counterparts for nuclear modernisation programs. “It is very likely that your decision to furlough 1,400 NNSA workers is being seen in Moscow, Beijing, and Pyongyang as evidence of an unstable US nuclear deterrent,” the letter stated.

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‘Reckless and dangerous’ Trump administration furloughs 

Sharing the letter on X (formerly Twitter), Rep. Melanie Stansbury called the furlough reckless and dangerous. “Furloughing nearly 80% of our nation’s nuclear security workforce is reckless and dangerous. Yet, that is exactly what the Trump Admin and the GOP are doing,” She said. 

“The National Nuclear Security Administration safeguards our nuclear stockpile and protects our country every single day. Furloughing the public servants who manage these programs puts every American life at risk.”

Stansbury also demanded the “immediate reinstatement of NNSA workers, including at New Mexico’s National Labs,” adding that national security “literally depends on it.”

However, many in the comment section didn’t seem convinced by the demand and instead blamed the Democrats for not cooperating, which has ultimately allowed the matter to drag on for weeks and is now affecting federal workers and staff across government departments.The lawmakers, meanwhile, have demanded a detailed explanation by November 7, 2025, including a legal justification for categorising most NNSA employees “non-essential.” The total number of furloughed and active staff by department and program, and plans to ensure nuclear safety during the shutdown.