And then there were five

President Trump has nominated a candidate to occupy the still vacant fifth seat on the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a move that now locks in a Republican majority. Trump had already played dirty by firing Democratic commissioner Christopher Hanson earlier this year without cause and probably illegally, as Hanson’s term was not due to expire until June 2029.

Trump replaced Hanson with a Republican, Ho Nieh, who is awaiting a Senate floor vote for his nomination after advancing out the EPW committee in late October. Trump’s fifth pick, Douglas Weaver (pictured left), replaces another Republican, Annie Caputo (pictured right) who surprised many by resigning shortly after DOGE began meddling in NRC affairs and firing staffers. Her public reason for leaving was to spend more time with her family, which is rarely anything other than cover for some more serious disagreement.

Watch this space for more on Weaver. For now, we can report from news organizations that he has served for more than two decades in various positions within the NRC but also has corporate links, having worked at both Holtec and Westinghouse, now in line for financial largesse from the Trump White House.

(Photo of Weaver courtesy of Holtec; photo of Weaver by NRC)

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