Trump Terminates Entire National Science Board

President Trump terminated all 22 members of the National Science Board on 24 April, notifying them by email that their positions were "terminated, effective immediately," according to board members.

The NSB sets National Science Foundation policy and approves major funding decisions, and its next meeting was set for 5 May when members planned to release a report about the United States ceding scientific ground to China, members said.

Scientists and lawmakers criticized the dismissals, with Dan Reed calling the action "unprecedented" and Representative Zoe Lofgren calling it "the latest stupid move" that harms science and American innovation, according to statements.

The National Science Foundation has a budget of over $9 billion, the agency has lost more than 30% of its staff since January 2025, and the administration proposed cutting NSF funding by more than half for two years in a row, sources said.

President Trump nominated James O'Neill in March to lead the foundation, the NSF director post has been vacant since Sethuraman Panchanathan resigned in April 2025, and the White House has not said whether NSB members will be replaced.