Story perspectives

Trump Ousts All 22 National Science Board Members

5/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump terminated all 22 National Science Board members effective immediately.
The White House cited the 2021 Court case U.S. v. Arthrex, saying it raised constitutional questions about the board.
The board was preparing a May 5 meeting and a report that the United States lagged behind China in science.
The White House said NSF will continue uninterrupted and the NSB website now shows pending appointments after biographies were removed.

History

Historical Context

When Richard Nixon abolished the President’s Science Advisory Committee in 1973, ending a $12 million budget that funded over 150 projects, he followed a pattern of dissolving federal science councils—mirroring the 1973 termination of the National Aeronautics and Space Council. Decades later, Donald Trump’s removal of all 22 National Science Board members echoed similar disruptions, underscoring recurring swings in U.S. science governance.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump terminated all 22 National Science Board members effective immediately.
The White House cited the 2021 Court case U.S. v. Arthrex, saying it raised constitutional questions about the board.
The board was preparing a May 5 meeting and a report that the United States lagged behind China in science.
The White House said NSF will continue uninterrupted and the NSB website now shows pending appointments after biographies were removed.

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