Multiple news sources indicate that the Trump administration has removed individuals from the National Science Board (NSB), the body responsible for setting guidelines at the National Science Foundation. The exact number of those affected remains unknown. Based on images provided to The Washington Post, recipients were informed via email that their roles had ended right away.
The NSB directs policy for the National Science Foundation (NSF), an autonomous U.S. entity that manages roughly 25% of government funding for academic and university-based research nationwide. Established more than 75 years ago, the NSF has played a key role in innovations such as magnetic resonance imaging machines and mobile phones. The board can have as many as 25 serving members, but it currently counts 22; the agency's previous leader, Sethuraman Panchanathan, stepped down suddenly in the prior year.
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren described the action as a 'real bozo the clown move' in her official remarks. As the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, she stated, 'This is the latest stupid move made by a president who continues to harm science and American innovation.' She further noted, 'It unfortunately is no surprise a president who has attacked NSF from day one would seek to destroy the board that helps guide the Foundation.'
Whether the NSB's planned session on May 5 will proceed is uncertain. Inquiries about the dismissals and the upcoming gathering directed by the NSB pointed to the White House for more information. Contact has been made with the Trump administration for verification, and updates will follow upon response.