The administration of President Donald Trump has dismissed all 22 members of the National Science Board, an independent body responsible for shaping policy at the National Science Foundation, according to former board members and lawmakers.
The removals, carried out effective immediately, mark a significant escalation in the administration’s broader efforts to restructure federal institutions, including agencies tied to education, development, and scientific research.
Board members reported receiving brief termination notices without explanation, bringing an abrupt end to their six-year appointments.
The National Science Board, established in 1950, plays a central role in guiding the National Science Foundation and advising both the president and Congress on science and engineering policy.
Its members, drawn largely from academia along with representatives from industry, nonprofits, and national laboratories, had been appointed for fixed terms intended to preserve independence.
"Yes, all 22 current members of the National Science Board were terminated on Friday effective immediately. No reason was given," said Yolanda Gil, one of the dismissed members.
Roger Beachy, a reappointed board member, described the termination notice as brief and lacking detail.
He expressed concern about how future appointments could shape the agency’s direction, particularly regarding whether the board would remain independent or become more politically aligned.
A White House official indicated that the board’s statutory authorities may require updating but said the foundation’s work would continue without interruption.
The dismissals have drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who described the move as part of a broader pattern of targeting independent institutions.
Representative Zoe Lofgren called the action “the latest stupid move made by a president who continues to harm science and American innovation.”
Political analysts have pointed to a wider campaign by the administration to reshape federal bodies by removing existing leadership and potentially installing more loyal figures.
The National Science Foundation, one of the world’s largest funders of research with over $8bn in annual spending, has already faced significant grant reductions in recent cost-cutting efforts.
Former board members said it remains unclear how the latest changes will affect long-term funding and the direction of U.S. scientific research.