NASA has embarked on a major restructuring, laying off 23 employees and closing three key departments. The decision is being attributed to the implementation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order to reduce the federal workforce to save costs. Among the departments eliminated are DEIA’s Office of Technology, Research and Diversity.
In an internal email, NASA acting chief Janet Petro said the cuts should “optimize the workforce,” but did not give exact numbers. An agency spokesman later confirmed the layoffs of 23 people, adding that their departments would cease operations entirely.
Experts believe the decision is related to Trump’s January 20, 2021 executive order that ordered the elimination of DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) programs in federal agencies. The White House called them “unlawful,” though it did not specify specific grounds. NASA reacted quickly: all DEIA projects were halted and contracts terminated. The agency also ordered employees to report any attempts by colleagues or officials to maintain DEIA programs in defiance of the order, warning that failure to do so within 10 days could result in “adverse consequences.”
“Urgency” of complying with the order is emphasized by the threat of ‘adverse consequences’ for those who ignore the requirements within 10 days. This has caused a wave of outrage among workers who point out: the DEIA programs helped to attract people from different social groups into the space industry.
NASA’s restructuring is part of the Trump administration’s broader policy of cutting government spending. With Elon Musk leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), thousands of federal positions have been cut and funding for medicine, cybersecurity, climate programs, and social initiatives has been reduced.
NASA assures that the reforms will not affect science projects. But experts have concerns: cutting the departments responsible for strategy and innovation could slow technology development. One thing is clear for now: the battle for “efficiency” will change NASA – but the cost of such changes remains unclear.
Earlier we reported on how Elon Musk bullied NASA employees.
According to Business Insider
