Nuclear Safety Fired by Email: Trump’s Radioactive Deregulation Comedy

In what can only be described as the most casual nuclear policy shift in American history, former president—and current second-term human wrecking ball—Donald Trump has fired Christopher Hanson, the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

By email. On a Friday. Two sentences.

"I am writing to inform you that your position... is terminated, effective immediately. Thank you for your service."

You almost expect the next line to offer him a coupon for 10% off at Mar-a-Lago’s gift shop.

The “Independent” Commission — Now with 100% Less Independence

The NRC has historically been an independent safety watchdog overseeing America’s nuclear power plants. That’s important because, you know, nuclear energy tends to get messy when it goes wrong.

But independence is so last season. Trump’s latest move is part of a broader “de-regulation by decapitation” strategy. Hanson joins a growing list of officials (from labor boards to energy regulators) who have been ousted and replaced by more, let’s say, “agreeable” faces.

Independence is now defined as:
“You’re free to agree with me, or you’re free to pack your things.”

Quadruple Nuclear! What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Trump’s stated goal: quadruple U.S. nuclear power by 2050.

A bold vision, only slightly complicated by:

• Soaring construction costs (looking at you, Vogtle reactors)
• Supply chain issues (we still rely on Russia for uranium)
• The fact that building a nuclear reactor is not the same as building a golf course

Normally, an independent NRC would balance expansion with safety. But why bother when you can simply hit the "fire" button on the head of the agency? Safety reviews only slow things down. Apparently, if we skip the permits and cross our fingers, reactors will just regulate themselves.

"Meltdown? That’s just fake news, folks."

World-Class Standards? Not Anymore.

For decades, the NRC has been considered the global gold standard for nuclear oversight. Other nations modeled their programs on America’s careful balancing of growth and safety.

Now?
The gold standard just got downgraded to foil-wrapped discount oversight — shiny, crinkly, and one bad decision away from leaking everywhere.

If This Were A Sitcom…

Title: The Trump Nuclear Commission
Plot Summary:
A former reality TV host fires the nation’s top nuclear safety expert over email while trying to quadruple nuclear power, all while ignoring international norms and increasing the odds that Homer Simpson may actually qualify to run a reactor.

The Bottom Line

• Independent oversight? Fired.
• Safety standards? Loosened.
• Public confidence? Radioactive.
• Consequences? TBD. But we recommend staying at least 500 miles upwind—just in case.

In the end: When the next big nuclear accident happens, at least we’ll know the email went out on time.