The Financial Times reported on its front page that safety concerns at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission have increased after Trump's attacks led to a loss of talent.
Since taking office, nearly 200 employees have left, and nearly half of the senior leadership team is in an "acting" capacity, with the former chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission expressing concerns.
Donald Trump's attacks on the independence of the U.S. nuclear safety regulatory agency have put it in a difficult position, with some senior leaders forced to leave, many retiring early, or even resigning.
Scott Morris, former Deputy Executive Director for Operations at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, who retired in May this year, said that any move to replace experienced nuclear safety professionals with politically appointed personnel would be a "dangerous game," as nearly twenty reactors are currently under construction.
Trump fired Lisa Cook, a senior official at the Federal Reserve, raising concerns about his attempt to weaken the central bank's independence. Cook filed a lawsuit against her dismissal, claiming that Trump's actions violated her constitutional rights and were illegal. Cook, who held the position from 2012 to 2014, stated that Trump's actions increased security risks. "These people are brothers in the tech industry; they adopt a startup model, act quickly and break the rules. But that doesn't work in the nuclear field," she said.
Since the start of the president's term in January, nearly 200 people have left the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The rate of executive departures has shown little sign of slowing down, with the head of nuclear safety at the agency also resigning. Several former staff members and commissioners told the Financial Times that the exodus began with a surge in private sector job opportunities during the nuclear boom. However, after Trump launched his attacks, the exodus accelerated sharply.
On Wednesday, the White House announced that it had fired the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Susan Morbey, because she refused to resign. Morbey's lawyer accused the Trump administration of "weaponizing public health for political gain."
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission stated that experienced, technically qualified managers are currently serving in acting roles as office directors, and the agency "adheres to the highest standards of public health, safety, and environmental protection."
Since taking office, Trump has tried to increase control over regulatory agencies established by Congress, partly to protect them from administrative interference. He has dismissed officials from multiple agencies, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the National Labor Relations Board.
The U.S. Department of Energy stated that "releasing nuclear energy" is crucial for advancing the AI competition, and the government is working with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to focus on its core mission of protecting health and safety. Nearly half of the 28-member senior leadership team at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is working in an "acting" capacity, and out of the five commissioner positions, only three are filled.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841738860790796/
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