U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today visited Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to see firsthand the Lab's vital contributions to national security and advancing America's scientific and technological leadership.
Secretary Wright met with top Lab leaders, including LLNL Director Kim Budil, and participated in an all-hands meeting with Lab employees. Wright also toured the Lab's world-class facilities and engaged with scientists and engineers advancing the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) mission, from maintaining a safe and modern nuclear deterrent to pioneering next-generation supercomputing, AI and energy technologies.
"Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is proof of what American science can achieve when there's a clear mission and the freedom to pursue it. President Trump has called on us to modernize our nuclear stockpile, advance AI, and push breakthroughs in fusion and supercomputing - and that work is happening here," said Wright. "The talent, the drive, and the mission-focus on display at this facility reflect what it takes for America to lead in science, drive innovation and secure our energy future."
Wright's daylong visit included briefings and discussions with LLNL experts in key mission areas including stockpile modernization, fusion energy, AI, cybersecurity and supercomputing. Wright toured the National Ignition Facility (NIF) - the world's most energetic laser - and El Capitan, an exascale system that is already redefining what is possible in modeling and simulation for deterrence, fusion and defense.
NIF is responsible for one of the most notable scientific advancements in U.S. history - achieving fusion ignition - a breakthrough signifying a promising future for both national security and energy security. The world's most powerful supercomputer, El Capitan supports the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) Stockpile Stewardship Program, ensuring the nuclear deterrent is safe, secure and reliable - as well as other national security applications.
Wright's itinerary also included tours of LLNL's Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory - an open collaborative environment designed to generate public-private partnerships in sectors like manufacturing and aerospace - and the Livermore Computing Center, where Wright and Lab leaders held a dynamic discussion on the future of AI and computing.
"It was an honor to welcome Secretary Wright and share with him the incredible accomplishments from across the Lab," said Budil. "LLNL is a place where frontier science is used to address urgent national security needs, and our dedicated team shows up every day ready to tackle these important and complex challenges. This Lab is not just imagining the future - we're creating it - in partnership with DOE, for the benefit of the nation."
A DOE/NNSA national laboratory, LLNL applies world-class science and technology to the most pressing challenges facing the U.S. From fusion power to premier high-performance computing muscle, Wright's visit reinforced LLNL's standing as a driving force behind American competitiveness.
LLNL was the second stop on Wright's West Coast tour of DOE national laboratories, which included the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Wright plans to visit all 17 DOE national labs in 2025.
