Trump administration fires all members of US’ National Science Board

The Trump administration has dismissed all 22 members of the National Science Board (NSB), the policy-setting body for the National Science Foundation. The firings, confirmed by an ex-board member and lawmakers, occurred without stated reasons, with individuals receiving brief termination emails. This action is seen by critics as part of a broader pattern of restructuring federal agencies. Democratic lawmakers have condemned the move, characterizing it as detrimental to science and innovation. The dismissals raise concerns about the future direction of research and education supported by the NSF, particularly regarding the partisan or independent nature of the new board.

The Trump administration has fired all 25 members of the National Science Board, an independent board that oversees the National Science Foundation (NSF). The decision was made through an email sent by the Presidential Personnel Office on behalf of President Donald J Trump, stating that the positions were "terminated, effective immediately". The National Science Board advises the president and Congress on science and engineering policy, approves major funding awards, and guides NSF's future. All 22 members of the current board were let go, including scientists from academia and industry specializing in various fields such as astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, and aerospace engineering. The move was made despite a planned meeting next week to finalize a report on the state of US science. The decision has been criticized by lawmakers, with Senator Maria Cantwell calling it "a dangerous attack on American innovation and discovery".