Trump administration fires entire National Science Board
By Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON, April 27 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump’s administration has dissolved the entire National Science Board of more than 20 members, two ousted members of the board said on Monday.
Here are some details:
• The independent board was established in 1950 to guide the management of the National Science Foundation and to advise the president and Congress on policies related to science and engineering.
• It included more than 20 members appointed to six-year terms.
• Trump has put pressure on independent institutions since taking office in early 2025. Political experts say his administration is trying to remake these bodies by appointing loyalists to leadership positions and eliminating independent and critical voices.
• Members Yolanda Gil and Keivan Stassun said in emailed statements that board members were told they would be dismissed immediately on Friday.
• Gil, who works at the Information Sciences Institute of the University of Southern California, said, “Yes, all 22 current members of the National Science Board were dismissed on Friday, effective immediately. No reason was given.”
• The majority of the board members were academics. Gil told Reuters there were also representatives from national laboratories, non-profit organizations and industry.
• “It seemed like it was only a matter of time before we saw similar actions by the administration across the federal government and especially regarding scientific research,” said Stassun, who works at Vanderbilt University.
• Saying he was disappointed, Stassun also confirmed Gil’s statement that there was no reason in Friday’s termination email.
• The National Science Foundation referred questions to the White House.
• A White House official said the powers given to the board by Congress when it was created may need to be updated. The National Science Foundation’s work “continues uninterrupted,” the official said.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Kim Coghill)
