President Donald Trump has fired Christopher Hanson from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, fueling speculation that White House is planning a much stronger role in safety regulation of new, advanced nuclear reactors that the president calls a key to assuring power supply for artificial intelligence development.
In a message on a social media page Monday, Hanson said, “President Trump terminated my position with the [NRC] without cause, contrary to existing law and longstanding precedent regarding removal of independent agency appointees.”
Hanson noted he had been appointed to the NRC by Trump in 2020 and reappointed by former President Joe Biden in 2024. Biden named Hanson chair, and Trump replaced him in that position in January in favor of David Wright, a Republican.
Wright, however, has not been renominated to continue in his post after June 30, when his current term ends.
The uncertainty surrounding the future leadership of the commission comes as it faces a tight deadline ordered by Trump to review its licensing procedures for new reactors and accelerate approvals.
Last month, Trump issued four executive orders on the future of nuclear power regulation.
Trump gave the NRC until February to prepare and publish “a wholesale revision of its regulations and guidance documents,” in consultation with White House budget officials and the Department of Government Efficiency. The Department of Energy and the Defense Department were also given totally new nuclear missions that could support — or compete — with the NRC’s charter.
The notice Hanson received was a terse dismissal “effective immediately” signed by Trent Morse, deputy director for presidential personnel. “Thank you for your service,” it concluded.
Former NRC Chair Richard Meserve commented, “Trump’s action in firing Chris Hanson as the chairman is very disturbing.
“The NRC was established over 50 years ago as an independent agency to be led by a bipartisan group of five commissioners who, by statute, could only be removed for cause,” Meserve said. “Trump’s action is inconsistent with Congressional direction and reflects his intent to abolish the NRC as an independent agency.”
Hanson’s dismissal and Trump’s executive action come as the size of the NRC staff is to be reduced.
