The Trump administration abruptly dismissed all 22 members of the National Science Board on Friday, notifying them via a two-sentence email with no prior warning or explanation.
The email stated,
"On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, your positions are terminated, effective immediately."
The National Science Board serves as an independent advisory body to the President and Congress on scientific and engineering issues. It also plays a key role in steering the National Science Foundation (NSF), a federal agency supporting fundamental research across the United States.
This mass termination marks another significant setback for the NSF and the broader scientific community in America, raising concerns about the future direction of federal science policy.
The board’s responsibilities include providing annual reports and strategic guidance on research priorities, ensuring that federal investments in science align with national needs.
The sudden removal of all members—without consultation or transparency—has drawn criticism from scientific leaders and advocates who view the move as an unprecedented disruption to an essential advisory body.
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