Bulwark Takes: DOGE’s DUMBEST Firing Yet – A Comprehensive Summary
Podcast Information:
- Title: Bulwark Takes
- Host/Author: The Bulwark
- Episode Title: DOGE’s DUMBEST Firing Yet
- Release Date: February 21, 2025
Introduction: Setting the Stage
In this episode of Bulwark Takes, host Sam Stein and guest Andrew Egger delve into the controversial and perplexing personnel cuts made by the administration, colloquially referred to as "Doge," at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The discussion centers around the recent mass firings at Los Alamos National Laboratory, a critical facility for nuclear safety and research.
Sam Stein opens the conversation with a humorous anecdote about Andrew's live reporting from CPAC, setting an engaging tone for the episode.
Reporting from CPAC: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes
Andrew Egger provides insight into his experience at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), highlighting the bustling environment and the challenges faced by the Bulwark team in covering multiple stories simultaneously.
"We're a small outfit here at the Bulwark. You finish up one story, you go harrying off to the next one." [00:41]
Andrew mentions observing notable figures like Hans von Spakovsky from the Heritage Foundation, illustrating the high-profile nature of CPAC and the diverse array of attendees.
The Controversial Cuts at NNSA
Sam Stein transitions the discussion to the central issue: the recent, seemingly indiscriminate cuts implemented by the administration at the NNSA, specifically targeting Los Alamos National Laboratory.
"Before we do that, tell us what's CPAC like?" [00:00]
Andrew Egger recounts how Doge has been systematically reducing personnel across various agencies, focusing heavily on the NNSA—a vital component of the Department of Energy responsible for nuclear safety and the maintenance of the national nuclear stockpile.
"Doge has been going around cutting basically everything, minus a few key agencies that they're supposedly getting to and then trying to figure out if they fucked up." [01:19]
Breaking Down the Impact: Los Alamos National Laboratory
The discussion delves deeper into the ramifications of the cuts at Los Alamos, emphasizing the critical nature of the roles affected.
Andrew Egger explains that the positions eliminated were not merely administrative but included pivotal roles essential for nuclear safety and operational oversight.
"Their whole role at these nuclear manufacturer sites like Los Alamos in New Mexico, administrative. These are sites that are essentially all of the on the ground stuff is done not by government employees at all. It's done by independent contractors." [02:12]
He highlights the abruptness and lack of foresight in the administration's approach, noting that even highly specialized and mission-critical staff were not spared.
"It's just these guys who are going around like slashing and burning. And he [James Todd] was one of the guys who got slashed and burned." [04:29]
James Todd, the acting chief of Defense Nuclear Safety at NNSA, was notably locked out of his systems during the purge, underscoring the severity and indiscriminate nature of the firings.
"This is the top authority for everything related to nuclear safety at that agency." [04:10]
Chaos and Uncertainty: The Aftermath of the Purges
The episode explores the immediate fallout from the workforce reductions, highlighting the chaos and lack of communication within the agency.
Andrew Egger describes a "fog of war" scenario, where employees were unaware of who had been affected, leading to widespread panic and uncertainty.
"There was a lot of fear and anxiety among the workforce right now that such kind of more detailed force reduction could still be coming down the pipe." [09:37]
He emphasizes that the cuts targeted not just low-level administrative staff but also individuals holding critical roles in areas like emergency preparedness, radiation protection, and security management.
"These are people who just like, kind of were kind of like in a horror movie, just sort of snatched up by the beast at the end of last week." [06:07]
Repercussions for Nuclear Safety and Future Operations
The discussion shifts to the long-term implications of these cuts on nuclear safety and the operational integrity of facilities like Los Alamos.
Andrew Egger points out the precarious situation where highly specialized technical staff are being eliminated without viable replacements, threatening the agency's ability to maintain safety standards and operational efficiency.
"You can't bring anybody in, and then, you know, it's just all awful forever." [12:35]
He underscores the lack of preparation and understanding demonstrated by the administration, which failed to recognize the complexity and specialization required for nuclear safety roles.
"There's no indication that any research or homework or outreach was done in advance to figure out who would be the best people if you had to cut." [09:37]
Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale of Mismanagement
In wrapping up, Sam Stein injects humor while reflecting on the gravity of the situation.
"And you break things and you have a little nuclear. That's just what you ask." [11:14]
The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hasty and ill-informed personnel decisions within critical government agencies. It highlights the essential need for careful planning and understanding of specialized roles to ensure national security and safety are not compromised.
Andrew Egger leaves listeners with a sense of unease about the future, hinting at possible further cuts and the ongoing uncertainty faced by the remaining staff.
"It's like. That's exciting. That's the. That's the whole thing." [12:37]
Final Thoughts
For those seeking an in-depth analysis, the full article titled Inside Doge's Dumbest Cut Yet is available on The Bulwark’s website. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to Morning Shots for comprehensive coverage and updates.
This episode of Bulwark Takes sheds light on a critical and alarming development within the Department of Energy, emphasizing the potential risks posed by uninformed administrative decisions. Through detailed discussion and firsthand reporting, Sam Stein and Andrew Egger provide listeners with a thorough understanding of the implications surrounding Doge's latest firing spree at Los Alamos National Laboratory.