The unexpected firing of NRC Commissioner Christopher Hanson by President Trump has reignited debate over nuclear safety, political overreach, and the future of independent energy regulation in the U.S.

President Trump on Friday fired a Democratic member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which the commissioner says is illegal.

In a Monday post on LinkedIn, Christopher Hanson said that Trump had fired him from the independent commission that regulates nuclear power safety.

“Late on Friday, President Trump terminated my position with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission without cause, contrary to existing law and longstanding precedent regarding removal of independent agency appointees,” Hanson said.

Hanson was notified of his termination through an email that was sent on Friday evening. The email did not contain any information about why he was being let go.

Previously, the commission had a 3-2 Democratic majority. Commissioners are appointed by the president and serve five-year terms. 

Hanson, despite being a Democrat, was actually nominated by Trump in 2020.

A White House spokesperson defended his firing in a written statement.

“All organizations are more effective when leaders are rowing in the same direction. President Trump reserves the right to remove employees within his own Executive Branch who exert his executive authority,” said spokesperson Anna Kelly.