King: America’s Nuclear Programs a “Not Fail Mission,” Warns Against Firings at Key Department

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Angus King, in a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), spoke with Brandon Williams, the nominee to serve as the Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security, about the grave importance of keeping the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) staffed amid reckless cuts and buyouts inflicted upon the department by the White House at the urging of Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). During the exchange, Senator King pressed Williams for his commitment to protect the NNSA workforce and ensure it is properly staffed to meet the demand as the United States seeks to bolster its nuclear arsenal and keep pace with global foes. The hearing comes on the heels of the Trump Administration firing - then scrambling to rehire - more than 300 NNSA employees without realizing they oversee the country's weapons stockpile.

I am gravely concerned about this memo that was mentioned on Friday of the possibility of 500 people in the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) as non-essential. That is 20% of the workforce. The testimony is it is one of the greatest scientific engineering organizations in human history. I just do not understand how that wonderful organization, if that's true, how 20% are non-essential. I did a little calculation. That is 2/10^th of 1% of the budget. What is to be gained by reducing the staff by 20% of this essential agency at this moment with the rebuilding of our nuclear triad," asked Senator King.

"Senator King, thank you for that question and your attention on the workforce which I think is absolutely critical. If confirmed, I commit to you that I will stand up for the men and women of NNSA, that I will advocate for them. We are facing a moment in history where NNSA must perform. I think there are opportunities for us to innovate at NNSA, to deliver on the program record and the expectations that this committee has set and that we will stand up to our adversaries," replied Williams.

"You are absolutely right. This is a no fail mission. Because of the modernization program we are in the midst of, the demands on NNSA have never been greater, probably since the founding of the agency. I hope you will stand up for that workforce. There is an issue here not only of the people, the 500 people being non-essential, the effect on morale in the workforce is something to be considered. I hope you can address this early in your tenure and be sure that the workforce is protected, and that the morale of the agency can be maintained. Will you commit to that," questioned Senator King.

"If confirmed, I will certainly commit to that," responded Williams.

Senator King is a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and also serves as the ranking member of the subcommittee on Strategic Forces - which performs critical oversight of America's nuclear weapons arsenal. He has been a steady voice on the need to address the growing nuclear capacity of our adversaries and has previously expressed concern about Russia and China's emerging "nightmare weapon" hypersonic missiles. Senator King has also warned extensively of the carelessness of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) antics, and raised the alarms on Constitutional overstep as the White House continues to pare down the federal workforce. He wrote a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside 36 senators, sharing the detrimental effects of the Trump Administration's dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He also joined fellow Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) colleagues in writing a letter to the White House about the risks to national security by allowing unvetted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staff and representatives to access classified and sensitive government materials.

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