Trump's latest science purge could bring major risks, experts say

The abrupt firing of the board comes at a time of climate crisis and international competition National Affairs Fellow Published May 2, 2026 9:00AM (EDT) President Donald Trump speaks during an event with the Artemis II astronauts in the Oval Office of the White House on April 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) The Trump administration’s recent firing of the entire 22-person board of the National Science Foundation has drawn condemnation from lawmakers, scientists and their advocates across the country, who say the decision is irresponsible and based on political control. Members of the National Science Board, made up mostly of scientists, reportedly received emails last Friday informing them that they would be removed from their positions effective immediately. “No reason was given,” former board member, Yolanda Gill, an employee at the Information ‌Sciences ⁠Institute of the University of Southern California, told Reuters. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., a ranking member of the House Science Committee, blasted the decision as “a real Bozo the Clown move” by President Donald Trump. “The NSB is apolitical. It advises the president on the future of NSF,” Lofgren said in a statement on Saturday. “It unfortunately is no surprise a president