Trump administration fires all members of National Science Board

The Trump administration has fired all 22 members of the National Science Board (NSB), the policy and advisory arm of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Roger Beachy, an ex-board member, stated that the termination email was brief, simply thanking them for their service. Beachy expressed concern over the future nature of research and education supported by the NSF, questioning whether the new board would be partisan or independent.

Democratic lawmakers criticized the dismissals, with Zoe Lofgren, a senior member of the House science committee, calling it a "real bozo the clown move" and questioning whether the president would appoint loyalists who would compromise American leadership in science. The White House and NSF did not respond to requests for comment. Previously, the Trump administration targeted the NSF for significant budget cuts, halting over 1,600 grants worth nearly $1 billion.

The NSF, established in 1950, is a major funder of scientific research, spending over $8 billion in 2025. Beachy noted that while it is too early to assess the long-term impact of these dismissals on science funding, bipartisan support for the NSF has historically been strong. He emphasized the importance of maintaining this support for the future success of the US science enterprise.