NASA has dismissed its chief scientist and disbanded key offices as part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to cut federal spending on climate research. The move, announced on Tuesday, marks the latest in a series of actions undermining climate change science.
Katherine Calvin, a leading climatologist who played a crucial role in UN climate reports, was among those affected by the first round of layoffs. The Office of the Chief Scientist, which she led, has been eliminated. Other notable cuts include the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, as well as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Branch within the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
“To optimize our workforce and in compliance with an Executive Order, NASA is beginning its phased approach to a reduction in force (RIF),” NASA spokeswoman Cheryl Warner said in a statement. “A small number of individuals received notification on March 10 that they are part of NASA’s RIF. If eligible, these employees may opt for the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) or complete the RIF process.”
The dismissals are part of a wider pattern under the Trump administration, which has long sought to scale back government involvement in climate research. Trump has repeatedly dismissed climate change as a “scam” and has withdrawn the United States from the Paris Agreement for a second time.
Despite NASA’s critical role in climate science operating Earth-monitoring satellites, developing climate models, and providing open-source data the agency has now joined the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in experiencing major cutbacks. NOAA, another key climate agency, has already dismissed hundreds of employees, with more cuts anticipated.
NASA had previously been spared from drastic reductions, reportedly due to the intervention of Jared Isaacman, Trump’s nominee for NASA chief. Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and SpaceX customer, is seen as close to Elon Musk, a key advisor to Trump on federal cost-cutting initiatives.
The recent layoffs could indicate a shift in NASA’s priorities away from climate research and toward space exploration. Trump and Musk have both championed an accelerated human mission to Mars. In his recent State of the Union address, Trump vowed that the U.S. would “plant the American flag on the planet Mars and even far beyond.”
With further cuts looming, the future of federal climate research remains uncertain, as the administration prioritizes space exploration over Earth science.
