US EditionHow Much Should Politics Influence Science, and Vice Versa? National Science Board’s Ousting Resurrects an Existential Debate
The abrupt move ends the terms of scientists appointed to staggered six-year seats as the board was finalizing a report on U.S. research funding.
- On Friday, the Donald Trump administration dismissed all 22 members of the National Science Board effective immediately by email, providing no explanation for the unprecedented move.
- Ousted adviser Yolanda Gil stated the board planned to meet next week to finalize a critical report on 2026 Science and Engineering Indicators warning of a widening research funding gap between the United States and China.
- Representing more than 150,000 members, the American Chemical Society warned of a concerning 'trend' of eliminating independent oversight bodies, which it calls 'essential' to the National Science Foundation's scientific leadership.
- "We cannot let this happen," said Sudip Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, as leaders expressed concern the dismissals jeopardize the peer review process and the National Science Foundation's independence.
- Seeking to cut the National Science Foundation's roughly $9 billion budget in half for the second consecutive year, the administration previously dismissed all advisory committees for the agency's directorates, continuing systemic personnel reductions.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Trump purge of National Science Board sparks warnings of political takeover of US science
The firing of every member of the National Science Board, alongside sweeping proposed cuts to federal research agencies, is raising alarms that the administration is dismantling independent scientific governance while jeopardizing America’s research leadership.
The Conversation
How much should politics influence science, and vice versa? National Science Board’s ousting resurrects an existential debate
The governing structure of the National Science Foundation partially insulated science from political control. Evgeny Gromov/iStock via Getty Images Plus“On behalf of President Donald J. Trump,” read 22 emails sent from the White House Presidential Personnel Office on Friday afternoon, April 24, 2026, “I am writing to inform you that your position as a member of the National Science Board is terminated, effective immediately.” The email was sign…
The National Science Board fired by Trump was finalizing a report on China’s growing scientific edge over the United States
The dismissal of the 22 members of the National Science Board by the Donald Trump administration is an “unprecedented” move, explains Yolanda Gil, one of the ousted advisers, in an interview with EL PAÍS. Gil, who has a long scientific career in the United States, confirms that all members of the board were dismissed “effective immediately” last Friday by email, with no explanation of the reasons.Seguir leyendo
Gary Hanson: National Science Board -- closed why?
Editor: Across the country, we're watching federal buildings close. Long standing programs wind down, and thousands of public servants lose their jobs with little warning. The latest example reported this week, was the National Science Board. These scientists appointed to…
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