Trump Announces New Furlough
The Biden-era government shutdown has now entered its fourth week, and the fallout is hitting some of America’s most critical defense operations. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) — the agency responsible for maintaining the nation’s nuclear stockpile — has been forced to furlough over 75% of its workforce, leaving vital national-security work hanging in the balance.
According to a Department of Energy spokesperson, more than 1,400 NNSA employees were officially furloughed as of Monday, leaving fewer than 400 essential personnel to protect the nation’s most sensitive facilities and materials.
“Due to the Democrat-led shutdown, approximately 1,400 NNSA federal employees will be furloughed as of today, October 20th, while nearly 400 will remain on duty to safeguard property and ensure the safety of human life,” the spokesperson stated.
The Office of Secure Transportation, which handles the safe movement of nuclear materials, will continue operations only through October 27th — after which funding could run out entirely unless Congress acts.
Historic First: NNSA Forced to Furlough Workers for the First Time Ever
Energy Department spokesman Ben Dietderich confirmed that this marks the first time in the NNSA’s 25-year history that the agency has had to furlough workers during a shutdown.
“We’ve extended funding as long as possible,” Dietderich told CNN. “While we remain committed to protecting America’s nuclear deterrent, the longer this shutdown lasts, the more damaging it becomes — especially for workforce retention and weapons modernization efforts critical to national security.”
Experts warn that a prolonged shutdown could delay critical weapons upgrades and threaten America’s strategic deterrence capabilities at a time when global threats are on the rise from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Democrats Dig In as Shutdown Crisis Deepens
The government is now on Day 20 of the shutdown, and Democrat leaders continue to refuse compromise, demanding expanded Obamacare subsidies before they will even consider reopening the government.
Republicans have proposed several temporary funding measures to restore key operations, but Democrats remain focused on political leverage, even as national security and American jobs hang in the balance.
While Washington plays politics, thousands of dedicated federal workers — including those guarding America’s nuclear deterrent — are left without pay.
National Security at Stake
Conservative analysts say the situation exposes just how reckless Washington’s political gridlock has become.
“This is not just about budgets and partisanship,” one defense expert noted. “This is about whether America can continue to defend itself.”
With fewer than 400 employees left to oversee one of the most sensitive security operations in the world, the United States is effectively running on emergency mode — and the longer the Democrat shutdown drags on, the greater the risk to America’s safety, readiness, and credibility on the global stage.
Bottom Line
The Biden administration and congressional Democrats are gambling with America’s national defense. Every day the shutdown continues, our nation’s nuclear security grows weaker, while political posturing grows louder in Washington.
It’s a dangerous moment — and one that proves, once again, how out-of-touch career politicians in D.C. have become with the real-world consequences of their decisions.
