President Donald Trump’s administration has dismissed NASA’s chief scientist, Katherine Calvin, along with 22 other employees. A NASA spokesperson confirmed that more layoffs will follow in the coming weeks.
This wave of job cuts signals a shift in NASA’s priorities. The agency appears to be moving away from research and focusing more on space exploration. Trump and SpaceX founder Elon Musk have strongly supported a human mission to Mars. In his recent State of the Union address, Trump reinforced this vision, stating that the U.S. would “plant the American flag on the planet Mars and even far beyond.”
Trump Administration Blocks Climate Scientist from Key Meeting
Calvin, a leading climatologist and contributor to UN climate reports, faced another setback when the Trump administration barred her and other U.S. representatives from attending an important climate science meeting in China last month. This move aligns with the administration’s broader effort to weaken climate change research.
NASA plays a crucial role in climate studies. The agency operates Earth-monitoring satellites, conducts airborne and ground research, and provides open-source climate data. However, Trump has repeatedly dismissed climate science, calling climate change a “scam.” He also withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement for a second time.
NASA Shuts Down Key Offices, Expands Layoffs
In addition to individual job cuts, NASA has completely shut down two departments: the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Branch.
NASA spokeswoman Cheryl Warner confirmed that affected employees received layoff notices on March 10. Those eligible can opt for early retirement through the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) or complete the Reduction in Force (RIF) process.
Jared Isaacman’s Attempt to Delay Layoffs
Initially, these layoffs were scheduled for February and would have impacted nearly 1,000 probationary employees. However, Jared Isaacman, Trump’s nominee for NASA chief, intervened to postpone them.
Isaacman, a billionaire in the e-payments industry and a SpaceX customer, has close ties to Elon Musk. He also leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal agency responsible for budget cuts. Despite his temporary efforts to delay the layoffs, the dismissals have now begun, marking a major shift in NASA’s direction under Trump’s leadership.