Democrats Spooked by Trump’s Plan to Hand Over Weapons-Grade Plutonium to Private Firms

The article discusses the concerns raised by Democrats regarding the Trump administration's plan to hand over weapons-grade plutonium to private firms. This proposed move is seen as a departure from the United States' longstanding nonproliferation policy. The article highlights that the transfer of such sensitive nuclear material to private entities raises significant security and proliferation concerns. Lawmakers argue that this decision could undermine decades of efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and materials. The article notes that the administration's rationale for the plan is to reduce the government's nuclear stockpile and associated costs. However, critics contend that the risks outweigh the potential benefits and that the safeguards in place may not be sufficient to prevent the misuse or diversion of the plutonium. The article emphasizes the ongoing debate and the opposition from Democratic lawmakers who are pressing the administration to reconsider this policy shift and maintain the existing nonproliferation framework.