Trump administration fires entire National Science Board

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON, April ‌27 (Reuters) - President Donald ​Trump's ​administration has terminated the entire National Science Board of more than 20 members, two fired members of the board ‌said on Monday.

Here are some details:

• The independent board was ⁠established in 1950 to guide the governance of the National Science Foundation and to ‌advise the president and the ‌Congress on policies about science and engineering.

• It included over 20 members appointed for six-year terms.

• Since taking office in early 2025, ​Trump has put pressure on independent institutions. Political experts say his administration is attempting to remake those bodies by installing loyalists ⁠in leadership positions and by removing independent and critical voices.

• Board members were told on Friday ​they were being ousted effective immediately, members Yolanda Gil and Keivan Stassun, said in emailed statements.

• "Yes, all 22 ​current members of the National Science Board ‌were terminated on Friday effective immediately. No reason was given," Gil, who works at the Information Sciences Institute of ⁠the University of Southern California, said.

• The majority of the board members were academics. It also had representation from national labs, non-profits and the industry, ⁠Gil told Reuters.

• "Seeing similar actions by the Administration across the federal government and especially ​with regards to scientific research, it seemed only a matter of time," Stassun, who works at Vanderbilt University, said.

• Stassun, who said he was disappointed, also confirmed ‌Gil's account that Friday's termination email did not provide any reason.

• The National Science Foundation directed questions ‌to the White House.

• A White House official said authorities given to ⁠the board by Congress when ‌the board was created ​may need updating. The National Science Foundation's work "continues uninterrupted," the official said.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by ‌Kim Coghill)

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