Nuclear Regulatory Commission members told Schiff they feel "pressure" from Trump administration and DOGE, confirmed fears that they could be fired "on any given day."

Washington, D.C. - Today, during an Environmental and Public Works Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) questioned three sitting members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) - David A. Wright, Bradley R. Crowell, Matthew J. Marzano - on whether they fear getting fired by President Trump if they were to oppose becoming a "rubber stamp" for the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Defense (DOD) or slow the administration's nuclear power plans.

This comes after the recent firing of Democratic Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner Chris Hanson, as well as the growing Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) infiltration in the agency and the recent resignation of Republican Commissioner Annie Caputo.

Watch the full clip HERE. Download the clip HERE.

Key Excerpt:

Schiff: […] Should you decide that a nuclear design is unsafe, notwithstanding the wishes of DOE or DOD or anyone else, do you think you are at risk of being fired from the commission by a president who has demonstrated willingness to fire commissioners without cause?

Marzano: Well, I certainly think that we've seen that happen, and I think there's pressure, but ultimately, the NRC will not license a reactor that is unsafe. If that does not meet our standards, we will not approve such a design.

Schiff: But you acknowledge that it's very possible should you decide that a reactor design is unsafe and vote that way, that you may be fired by the administration?

Marzano: I think that's a possibility.

Schiff: Mr. Crowell, is that a possibility in your view?

Crowell: I think on any given day, I could be fired by the administration for reasons unknown.

Schiff: Mr. Wright, do you think you'd be fired if you should decide against the administration's desires that a nuclear reactor design is unsafe?

Wright: It doesn't matter. I'm going to make the right decision, and I'll stand by that decision.

Schiff: But you acknowledge you have to at least be concerned about the possibility you'll be fired for it.

Wright: I don't know. In my mind, it's speculation, it's talking - it's not something but I will make the right decision, period.

Schiff: It may be speculation, Chairman. But if you and the other Commissioners have to be concerned that if you make a decision in the interest of public safety that runs afoul of the desire of the administration to approve something on a short timetable that you'll be fired. That's not a conducive situation to nuclear safety. Would you agree, if you have to worry about being fired for making the right decision?

Wright: Well it's, I may look at it a little bit differently than how you're saying it. […]

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