Firing of NSF Employees Sparks Outrage Among Democrats
Nearly 170 employees at the National Science Foundation (NSF) who were still on probation were fired by the Trump administration on Tuesday, union officials told The Hill.
Cuts Hit More Than 10 Percent of Staff
The cuts at the agency responsible for funding scientific research hit more than 10 percent of their staff, with 168 fired out of roughly 1,500 career employees.
Office of Personnel Management Orders Firings
The move comes after the Office of Personnel Management ordered agencies to fire employees on probation — those hired within the last year or two years, depending on their agency.
Democrats Blast Trump Administration's Decision
Democrats blasted the move, calling it a "massive mistake" that will hurt the country's ability to compete globally, especially with China.
Ranking Member Rep. Zoe Lofgren Responds
"Indiscriminately firing 10% of NSF’s workforce today is a massive mistake that will hurt our ability to compete globally, especially with China," said House Science Space and Technology Committee ranking member Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) in a statement.
Probationary Employees Criticized
"Probationary employees are often the professionals tackling the newest and most critical threats to the U.S. scientific ecosystem and have decades of subject-matter training in areas of emerging technology," Lofgren added.
Employees Given Short Notice
Employees were given two hours to clear out their offices and say their goodbyes.
NSF Statement on Firings
"The National Science Foundation has released 168 employees from Federal service effective today. We thank these employees for their service to NSF and their contributions to advance the agency mission," said agency spokesperson Michael England in a statement.
Nation Loses Experienced Researchers
The firings come at a time when the nation is facing numerous scientific challenges, including climate change and emerging technologies.
NSF's Research Contributions Cited
The National Science Foundation funds cutting-edge research across multiple fields, from biological studies to engineering and mathematics research. The agency awarded 11,000 different grants last year.
Examples of NSF Research Outcomes
- The internet was developed in part through NSF-funded research.
- NSF research helped develop 3D printing technology.
- The agency's funding supported the development of American Sign Language.
- Doppler radar was also developed with NSF support.
Reaction to Firings Still Coming
As news of the firings spread, officials and experts are still weighing in on what this move means for the nation's scientific research capabilities.
Future Implications Remain Unclear
The implications of these firings remain unclear at this time, but one thing is certain: the country will be feeling the effects of these cuts for years to come.