Protect NRC independence from political interference

The politically motivated firing of Christopher T. Hanson from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by President Trump raises grave concerns about the independence of this critical safety oversight body. As an independent agency charged with protecting public health and the environment from nuclear risks, the NRC must remain free from political interference or industry pressures that could undermine its ability to make impartial, science-based decisions. Removing a commissioner without cause and before the expiration of their term directly threatens the NRC's autonomy and its role as the "world's gold standard" for nuclear regulation, as Hanson described it. This action follows concerning moves by the administration, including a recent executive order mandating "wholesale revision" of NRC safety rules in coordination with the White House and calling for staff reductions at the agency. Such direct attempts to override the NRC's technical expertise jeopardize its core mission of ensuring nuclear safety. Given the enormous risks nuclear power poses to public health and the environment, preserving the NRC's independence from external influence must be a top priority to maintain public trust and prevent potentially catastrophic accidents or radiation exposure incidents. Immediate steps should be taken to reinforce the NRC's autonomy and insulate it from further political meddling that could undermine nuclear safety oversight.