Donald Trump’s transition team are reported not to have asked the two top officials who oversee the US nuclear weapons arsenal to remain in their posts.

The move to provide no grace period would risk leaving the US with no replacements to head the £9.86 billion National Security Agency (NNSA) for an unforeseen period of time as the roles require senate confirmation and Mr Trump has yet to publicly appoint anyone.

It marks a significant break with tradition as political appointees in such critical positions are generally asked to remain in their roles until they are replaced.

According to a Gizmodo report, the head of the NNSA, Frank Klotz, and his deputy, Madelyn Creedon, submitted their resignations but the Trump transition team have not asked them to temporarily stay in their roles after the President-elect takes office in just ten days time.

An official within the Department of Energy told the publication both Barack Obama appointed officials have informed the Trump team they would “likely be willing to stay to facilitate a smooth transition, if asked” but have received no response.

The source said the decision signified an indifference to process and protocol.

“It’s a shocking disregard for process and continuity of government,” they said.

“I’m more and more coming around to the idea that we’re so very very f*cked”.

President Donald Trump life in pictures Show all 16 1 /16 President Donald Trump life in pictures President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump poses in a rocking chair once used by President John F. Kennedy at his New York City residence Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump with his new bride Marla Maples after their wedding at the Plaza hotel in New York Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Celina Midelfart watch the match between Conchita Martinez and Amanda Coetzer during U.S. Open. She was the date whom Donald Trump was with when he met his current wife Melania at a party in 1996 Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas serving as the grand marshal for the Daytona 500, speaks to Donald Trump and Melania Knauss on the starting grid at the Daytona International Speedwa Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump talks with his former wife Ivana Trump during the men's final at the U.S. Open Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and his friend Melania Knauss pose for photographers as they arrive at the New York premiere of Star Wars Episode : 'The Phantom Menace,' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire real estate developer Donald Trump talks with host Larry King. Trump told King that he was moving toward a possible bid for the United States presidency with the formation of a presidential exploratory committee Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump answers questions as Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura looks on in Brooklyn Park. Trump said on Friday he 'very well might' make a run for president under the Reform Party banner but had not made a final decision Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump makes a face at a friend as he sits next to Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso before the start of the 2003 Miss Universe pageant in Panama City Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Entrepreneur Donald Trump is greeted by a Marilyn Monroe character look-a-alike, as he arrives at Universal Studios Hollywood to attend the an open casting call for his NBC television network reality series 'The Apprentice.' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Simon Cowell present an Emmy during the 56th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Megan Mullally perform at the 57th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump, poses with his children, son Donald Trump, Jr., and daughters Tiffany and Ivanka Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump told Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner on Tuesday she would be given a second chance after reported misbehavior Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump holds a replica of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as his wife Melania holds their son Barron in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. property mogul Donald Trump stands next to a bagpiper during a media event on the sand dunes of the Menie estate, the site for Trump's proposed golf resort, near Aberdeen, north east Scotland Reuters

Responding to the report, an NNSA official said the notion the Trump transition team explicitly dismissed the heads of agency was “inaccurate” but confirmed that there had been no discussion between the two parties.

“There have been no discussions between the president-elect’s transition team and any of NNSA’s political appointees on extending their public service past Jan 20,” the NNSA official told Defence News.

The move not to provide a grace period for the officials who are tasked with overseeing the “safety, security and effectiveness of the United States nuclear weapons stockpile” would be unprecedented. For the whole of Mr Obama’s first term and into part of his second, the NNSA Administrator was a George Bush appointee.

With no leadership of the organisation, it would be difficult for Mr Trump to implement his pledge for the US to “expand its nuclear capability” which he announced on Twitter last month.

This follows the Trump transition team's decision to demand ambassadors appointed by Mr Obama to leave their overseas posts by Inauguration Day. The move risks leaving the US without envoys in key countries like Britain, Germany and Canada for months. It also means ambassador’s families have been forced to find places to live in America or their respective countries with very little notice.