President Trump just dropped a bombshell by ousting a Democratic member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in a move that’s got the Beltway buzzing.
The Hill reported that on Friday, Trump fired Christopher Hanson from the NRC, part of a larger push to reshape independent commissions and rethink nuclear safety rules, while Hanson cries foul over what he calls an unlawful dismissal.
This isn’t just a random pink slip—Hanson, a Democrat originally nominated by Trump himself in 2020, got the boot via a curt evening email with zero explanation provided.
Before this firing, the NRC had a 3-2 Democratic majority, a balance now tipped as Trump’s team seems eager to steer the ship in a different direction.
Let’s not forget, NRC commissioners are appointed by the president for five-year terms and are supposed to operate independently, free from the usual executive arm-twisting that other federal agencies face.
Yet, here we are, watching the White House not just target the NRC but also push Democrats out of other independent bodies like the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Speaking of the CPSC, a judge ruled just last week that Trump’s dismissal of three Democrats from that commission was against the law—a precedent that might give Hanson a fighting chance.
Hanson himself didn’t mince words, stating, “Late on Friday, President Trump terminated my position... without cause, contrary to existing law.” Well, that’s a bold claim, but let’s be real—independent or not, administrations often want their own team players in key spots.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly fired back, saying, “President Trump reserves the right to remove employees... who exert his executive authority.” That’s a polite way of saying, “If you’re not on board, you’re off the boat,” and it’s hard to argue with a president wanting alignment in his ranks.
Meanwhile, the NRC confirmed the exit, noting, “The NRC has functioned... with fewer than five commissioners and will continue to do so.” Sounds like they’re ready to roll on without missing a beat, though one wonders if safety oversight might take a hit.
This firing ties into a broader Trump agenda, including an executive order signed in April 2025 pushing the NRC to ease up on what he calls overly tough safety standards and speed through environmental reviews.
That same order also ambitiously aims to quadruple the nation’s nuclear power capacity by 2050—a goal that’s either visionary or reckless, depending on where you stand on loosening regulations.
Critics like Edwin Lyman from the Union of Concerned Scientists aren’t holding back, warning that this move “undermines the independence and integrity” of an agency meant to shield us from nuclear disasters.
That’s a scary thought, but isn’t it also fair to ask if outdated rules are stifling energy innovation? Hanson, reflecting on his tenure, said, “It has been an honor to serve alongside... dedicated public servants at the NRC.”
While his dedication isn’t in question, the reality is that political winds shift, and not everyone gets to stay for the full ride.