The United States government is attempting to get in contact with employees from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) who were fired just days ago.
Employees from the NNSA were among hundreds of workers in the Department of Energy who received termination letters. The government is trying to re-hire them for fear that their dismissal could jeopardise national security.
The department is responsible for building, designing and overseeing the U.S. nuclear weapon stockpile.
NBC News obtained the email sent to NNSA employees: "The termination letters for some NNSA probationary employees are being rescinded, but we do not have a good way to get in touch with those personnel.”
U.S. news outlets have reported more than 300 workers were fired on Thursday, however, a spokesperson from the Department of Energy disputed this claim and said “less than 50 employees were dismissed”.
“The NNSA staff dismissed were probationary employees and held primarily administrative and clerical roles,” the spokesperson said.
This comes as the Trump administration began mass firings throughout the federal government. Many departments saw massive layoff numbers, including the Department of Homeland Security where over 400 jobs were slashed.
