Fact Check: More than 300 probationary employees were rehired at the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Fact Check: "More than 300 probationary employees were rehired at the National Nuclear Security Administration."

What We Know

The claim that "more than 300 probationary employees were rehired at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)" stems from a series of terminations that occurred during a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce the federal workforce. Reports indicate that approximately 300 NNSA employees were initially let go, which was later disputed by a Department of Energy spokesperson who stated that "less than 50 people" were dismissed from NNSA (BBC).

Following these terminations, there were efforts to reverse the layoffs due to concerns about national security. A memo from the NNSA indicated that termination letters for some probationary employees were being rescinded, but the agency faced challenges in contacting those employees because they had been locked out of their federal email accounts (BBC).

Additionally, a document from the Department of Energy confirmed that around 350 staff members were affected by the terminations, which included a mix of probationary and other employees ([source-2]).

Analysis

The evidence suggests that while the claim about rehiring "more than 300 probationary employees" is partially accurate, it lacks clarity regarding the actual rehiring process. The initial reports of over 300 terminations were corroborated by multiple sources, including the BBC and a document from the Department of Energy (BBC, [source-2]). However, the contradiction from the Department of Energy spokesperson raises questions about the exact number of employees affected.

The memo indicating that some termination letters were being rescinded implies that there was an intent to rehire, but it does not confirm that all or even a majority of the terminated employees were successfully rehired (BBC). Furthermore, the NNSA's struggle to contact the dismissed employees complicates the narrative, as it suggests that logistical issues may have hindered the rehiring process (BBC).

The sources used in this analysis are generally credible, with the BBC being a well-respected news organization and the Department of Energy documents providing official information. However, the conflicting statements from different sources highlight the complexity of the situation and the potential for misinformation.

Conclusion

The claim that "more than 300 probationary employees were rehired at the National Nuclear Security Administration" is Partially True. While there were indeed over 300 terminations, the specifics regarding rehiring are less clear. The NNSA indicated that some termination letters were rescinded, but it is uncertain how many employees were actually rehired, as logistical challenges may have prevented effective communication with those individuals.

Sources

1. US government seeks to rehire recently fired nuclear workers - BBC
2. PDF February 20, 2025 Secretary U.S. Department of Energy
3. Response From NNSA 2.21.25
4. Federal agencies are still firing probationary employees ...
5. National Geographic
6. Maps | National Geographic
7. Trump Fired, Then Unfired, National Nuclear Security Administration ...
8. National Geographic Doc Films