Garamendi Demands President Trump Prioritize U.S. Leadership in Nuclear Nonproliferation

WASHINGTON, DC — This week, Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08) led a bicameral letter expressing concern about President Trump’s understanding of the important role the United States plays in nuclear weapons safety and nonproliferation. This letter was co-led by the Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group Co-Chairs, Representative Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), along with Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), and Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA-04).

Nuclear nonproliferation refers to efforts to deter the spread of nuclear weapons. This happens via discouraging nuclear buildups by countries that already possess nuclear weapons and by working to prevent non-nuclear states from obtaining nuclear weapons.  

A world with more nuclear weapons is a less safe world. By cutting funding for nonproliferation activities and firing professionals responsible for managing the United States nuclear weapons stockpile, the Trump administration has failed to demonstrate it appreciates this reality.

In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “Nonproliferation is not just about stopping the spread of nuclear weapons – it also includes securing and disposing of dangerous materials, preventing radioactive materials from falling into the wrong hands, and ensuring compliance with international nuclear agreements and export controls. This work is essential to safeguarding public safety, strengthening global oversight, and preventing nuclear accidents or terrorism.”

“Nuclear proliferation is a significant threat to U.S. and global security. At this critical juncture, U.S. allies are reevaluating their non-nuclear status, driven in part by concerns that the U.S. may no longer be a reliable partner. A world with more nuclear weapons is one in which every minor conflict has the potential to cause mass casualties, and where terrorists will have more opportunities to attempt to seize nuclear materials and weapons in nuclear-armed countries. A steadfast U.S. commitment to global nuclear security is more crucial than ever.”

“Underinvestment in nuclear security threatens research and workforce development programs focused on addressing national security challenges such as uranium enrichment, weaponization by foreign actors, the risks posed by artificial intelligence to nuclear security, and technical assistance to U.S. companies developing advanced nuclear reactors.”

The letter requests the President provide answers to the following questions: 

• You have stated clearly your intention to “de-nuclearize.” Will your administration prioritize efforts to secure arms control agreements and nuclear nonproliferation?  

   

• Does your administration remain committed to the principles of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty? Will you sanction or otherwise condemn any country that withdraws from the treaty to pursue a nuclear weapons program? 

   

• Will your administration prioritize preventing uranium or other nuclear material from falling into the wrong hands? Will you commit to maintaining robust investments in global tracking and accounting for nuclear material? 

   

• Which specific programs will be affected by the $185 million reduction of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation account? Please provide details on specific programs and the amounts their funding will be reduced.  

   

• How will the reduction of manpower and nonproliferation funding at NNSA impact its ability to prevent nuclear accidents or threats? 

   

The full text of the letter can be found  here and below.  

Dear President Trump:

We write to strongly urge your administration to prioritize nuclear nonproliferation, and to express concern that recent actions suggest a lack of appreciation for the vital role of U.S. leadership in these efforts.  

Nonproliferation is not just about stopping the spread of nuclear weapons – it also includes securing and disposing of dangerous materials, preventing radioactive materials from falling into the wrong hands, and ensuring compliance with international nuclear agreements and export controls. This work is essential to safeguarding public safety, strengthening global oversight, and preventing nuclear accidents or terrorism.

Your administration’s actions have signaled an underappreciation of critical nonproliferation work. These actions include the hasty firing of over 300 National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) employees overseeing the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile in February and the redirection of $185 million from the NNSA’s Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation account in the recent full-year Continuing Resolution to the nuclear weapons activities account.  

Reports also suggest your administration has suspended two key programs that provide vital assistance to international nuclear inspectors, including those monitoring Iran’s nuclear program. There are vacancies at several high-profile arms control and nonproliferation posts across the administration. The potential for large reductions in the workforce at the Department of Energy, including NNSA experts responsible for maintaining a safe and secure nuclear weapons stockpile, are cause for further concern.

Nuclear proliferation is a significant threat to U.S. and global security. At this critical juncture, U.S. allies are reevaluating their non-nuclear status, driven in part by concerns that the U.S. may no longer be a reliable partner. A world with more nuclear weapons is one in which every minor conflict has the potential to cause mass casualties, and where terrorists will have more opportunities to attempt to seize nuclear materials and weapons in nuclear-armed countries. A steadfast U.S. commitment to global nuclear security is more crucial than ever.

The 2024 Department of Defense Report on the Nuclear Employment Strategy states that “…deterrence alone will not address strategic dangers. Arms control, risk reduction, and nuclear nonproliferation are indispensable in preserving stability, enhancing predictability, deterring aggression and escalation, reducing the consequences if deterrence fails, and mitigating the risk of nuclear arms racing and nuclear war.”

The Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) account at NNSA, which is being cut by $185 million, funds essential programs that protect U.S. national security. One is the Office of Global Material Security (GMS), which works globally to prevent terrorists from acquiring nuclear or radioactive materials for attacks on the U.S. GMS also collaborates with international partners to secure nuclear materials and combat trafficking. In addition, the DNN account funds the Office of International Nuclear Safeguards, which ensures that countries comply with International Atomic Energy Agency agreements and do not divert nuclear materials to weapons programs or pursue undeclared nuclear activities.

Underinvestment in nuclear security threatens research and workforce development programs focused on addressing national security challenges such as uranium enrichment, weaponization by foreign actors, the risks posed by artificial intelligence to nuclear security, and technical assistance to U.S. companies developing advanced nuclear reactors.  

These actions raise serious concerns about your administration’s commitment to nuclear nonproliferation. As such, we respectfully request prompt answers to the following questions:

• You have stated clearly your intention to “de-nuclearize.” Will your administration prioritize efforts to secure arms control agreements and nuclear nonproliferation? 

   

• Does your administration remain committed to the principles of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty? Will you sanction or otherwise condemn any country that withdraws from the treaty to pursue a nuclear weapons program?

   

• Will your administration prioritize preventing uranium or other nuclear material from falling into the wrong hands? Will you commit to maintaining robust investments in global tracking and accounting for nuclear material?

   

• Which specific programs will be affected by the $185 million reduction of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation account? Please provide details on specific programs and the amounts their funding will be reduced.  

   

• How will the reduction of manpower and nonproliferation funding at NNSA impact its ability to prevent nuclear accidents or threats?  

To ensure international security, the United States must invest in more than just weapons. We cannot afford to abandon our commitment to nuclear nonproliferation or the technical and policy programs that support it. Prioritizing nonproliferation strengthens deterrence, reduces the risks of nuclear accidents or intentional use, promotes international cooperation, and allows for the peaceful and responsible use of nuclear energy.  

In today’s rapidly changing global environment, the United States commitment to nonproliferation is vital. Continued investment in these efforts will advance international security, stability, and cooperation. For America to lead in creating a safer world, we must reaffirm and uphold our commitment to nuclear nonproliferation.

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