Based on the information provided, the firings by DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) do indeed appear to be somewhat random and hastily executed, for several reasons:
- Lack of Knowledge: As noted by Daryl Kimball of the Arms Control Association, the individuals from DOGE came in with "absolutely no knowledge of what these departments are responsible for." This suggests a lack of understanding of the roles and importance of the positions being cut, indicating a potentially haphazard approach.
- Immediate Termination: Workers like Carly Arata and Krzan Matta received termination notices with little to no notice, and in some cases, their access to systems was immediately cut off. This lack of standard notice period (like two weeks) suggests urgency and a lack of planning or consideration for the transition.
- Reversal of Decisions: The Trump administration had to reverse the firings of all but 28 of the nuclear weapons workers shortly after the initial cuts. This rapid reversal indicates that the initial decision to fire these workers might not have been well-thought-out or based on a thorough assessment of their roles' critical nature.
Regarding the risk of creating non-functional government agencies:
- Critical Roles Affected: The firings included workers at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), responsible for one of the most sensitive missions in the U.S., which is the maintenance of nuclear weapons. Cutting 30% of the workforce at a key facility like Pantex, as mentioned by Tara Copp, could significantly impair the operational capacity and safety protocols of such critical functions.
- Overburdening Remaining Staff: As Krzan Matta pointed out, the sudden departure of employees leaves the remaining staff overworked, which can lead to errors, decreased efficiency, and burnout. This situation can compromise the functionality of government operations.
- Security and Safety Risks: The NNSA oversees highly sensitive operations. Reducing the workforce without a clear plan could lead to lapses in security, safety protocols, and the maintenance of nuclear weapons, potentially risking national security.
As for whether chaos was the goal:
- Efficiency Drive: While the stated goal might have been to streamline government operations and reduce costs, the execution suggests a lack of strategic planning rather than an intentional aim for chaos. However, the outcome has elements of chaos due to the lack of foresight, understanding of departmental roles, and the abruptness of the actions.
- Political Messaging: Some might argue that creating a sense of urgency or disruption could serve political messaging, emphasizing a drastic approach to government reform. However, this seems more like an unintended consequence rather than a deliberate strategy, especially given the quick policy reversal.
In summary, the firings by DOGE appear to have been executed with haste and without a deep understanding of the implications, risking the functionality of critical government agencies. While chaos might not have been the explicit goal, it has certainly been a result due to the lack of strategic oversight in the process.