Bulwark Takes: "DOGE Goes Nuclear and Fires DOE Staff in Charge of Our Own Nuclear Weapons" Release Date: February 15, 2025

Introduction In this episode of Bulwark Takes, the Bulwark team delves into a critical and alarming incident within the Trump administration involving the inadvertent dismissal of Department of Energy (DOE) staff responsible for overseeing the United States' nuclear weapons stockpile. Hosted by Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Bill Kristol, the discussion offers a thorough analysis of the implications of this event on national security and governmental competence.

Incident Overview At [01:27], an Unknown Commentator provides a detailed account of the incident, highlighting the gravity of the situation:

"The Trump officials fired nuclear staff without realizing their job was to oversee our country's nuclear weapons stockpile. And after coming to the awareness that these people didn't just have kind of pointless government jobs, they went to unfire them. They're like, oops, sorry guys, we did an oopsie."

This mishandling underscores a significant lapse in understanding the critical roles within the DOE, particularly those safeguarding nuclear arsenals.

Scope of the Dismissals Further elaborating, the commentator references CNN's exclusive report, detailing the extent of the firings:

"An Energy Department spokesperson only said that it was less than 50 people that were dismissed. CNN's reporting it was 300."

This discrepancy between official statements and investigative reporting raises questions about transparency and accountability within the administration.

Roles Affected The discussion identifies the specific roles of the dismissed employees, emphasizing their importance:

"...staff that oversee the contractors who build the nuclear weapons. That included employees who write the requirements and guidelines for those who build the nuclear weapons. It includes people that are on the ground working at these nuclear facilities."

These positions are pivotal for maintaining the integrity and safety of the nation's nuclear capabilities.

Reasons Behind the Firings A source cited by CNN suggests the underlying cause of these dismissals:

"These individuals were fired because no one has taken any time to understand what people do and the importance of our work to the nation's national security."

This lack of comprehension indicates systemic issues within the administration's approach to managing specialized government roles.

Ongoing Uncertainties The commentator highlights the unresolved aspects of the situation:

"We don't actually know if everybody that got fired is returning or who exactly gets to return. You know, I guess Shadow President Musk will get to decide that. Or maybe, you know, a couple of Republicans in Congress who are fucking scared that we're getting rid of the staff that oversees our nuclear safety will shake the White House loose on this one and make sure everybody gets back into their gig."

The uncertainty surrounding the reinstatement of these employees exacerbates concerns about the stability and reliability of nuclear oversight.

Broader Implications Expanding the discussion beyond the nuclear sector, the commentator warns of broader governmental incompetence:

"This is a lot of incompetence and this is carelessness and this is recklessness. And the reality is people are going to get hurt if they haven't been getting hurt already. Maybe not in the nuclear vertical, but across all of the other parts of the government where people are being fired haphazardly without any consideration for what it is they actually do."

This systemic irresponsibility poses significant risks to various facets of government operations and national security.

Critical Analysis Bill Kristol chimes in with a stern critique of the administration's actions:

"What a disaster. What a cluster. You know, we already know this. All of us have been monitoring this closely. We know this. But you know, this is not a crack unit here. Like, these are not folks that know what they're doing. This is a lot of incompetence and this is carelessness and this is recklessness."

Kristol emphasizes the severity of the administration's mismanagement and its potential repercussions.

Conclusion and Call to Action Wrapping up the segment, the Unknown Commentator urges listeners to stay informed and vigilant:

"Make sure to subscribe to the feed. We'll make sure you're seeing any important and critical breaking news on what's going on in this shit show that is Trump 2.0."

This call to action reinforces the importance of continuous engagement with reliable news sources to navigate the complexities of current political events.

Key Takeaways

• Mass Dismissals: Approximately 300 DOE staff responsible for nuclear weapons oversight were inadvertently fired by the Trump administration.
• Lack of Understanding: The firings stemmed from a fundamental lack of understanding of the roles these employees play in national security.
• Transparency Issues: Discrepancies between official statements and investigative reports highlight issues of transparency.
• Broader Governmental Risks: The incident is indicative of widespread incompetence and recklessness within the administration, posing broader risks to governmental functions.
• Ongoing Uncertainties: Unclear processes regarding the reinstatement of fired staff leave lingering concerns about the future stability of nuclear oversight.

Notable Quotes

• Unknown Commentator [01:27]: "Trump officials fired nuclear staff without realizing their job was to oversee our country's nuclear weapons stockpile."
• Unknown Commentator [02:15]: "We're getting rid of the staff that oversees our nuclear safety will shake the White House loose on this one."
• Bill Kristol [04:30]: "This is a lot of incompetence and this is carelessness and this is recklessness."

Implications for National Security The episode underscores the critical importance of competent leadership and informed decision-making in maintaining national security. The mishandling of DOE staff dismissals not only threatens the integrity of the nuclear arsenal but also reflects broader systemic issues within the government's operational frameworks.

Final Thoughts Bulwark Takes delivers a compelling and urgent analysis of a significant lapse in governmental oversight, urging listeners to recognize the profound implications such incompetence holds for national security and the effective functioning of the government.