Story perspectives

Trump Axes Science Board Third, Nominates O'Neill

4/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

On April 25 2026, President Donald Trump emailed notices that terminated roughly one-third of the National Science Board members immediately.
The Presidential Personnel Office confirmed the dismissals, calling them damaging to U.S. scientific innovation, according to Rep. Zoe Lofgren.
Trump’s pending nomination of former HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill to lead the National Science Foundation (NSF) follows a budget proposal to cut NSF funding by over 50 percent.

History

Historical Context

The 2026 restructuring of the National Science Board reflects a pattern of political interference that began in the Bush era, when senior aide Philip Cooney resigned on June 10 2005 after editing EPA reports to downplay warming and then joined ExxonMobil. Both periods prompted congressional calls—such as Rep. Zoe Lofgren’s—to protect federal science from partisan influence.

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Story summary

On April 25 2026, President Donald Trump emailed notices that terminated roughly one-third of the National Science Board members immediately.
The Presidential Personnel Office confirmed the dismissals, calling them damaging to U.S. scientific innovation, according to Rep. Zoe Lofgren.
Trump’s pending nomination of former HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill to lead the National Science Foundation (NSF) follows a budget proposal to cut NSF funding by over 50 percent.

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