Trump Administration Dismisses Science Board, Threatens Funding

0:00It's April 27. This is Global News Today, powered by AI Year World, in real time. I'm Cory with the story. The Trump administration just fired all the members of the National Science Board, the independent group that oversees the National Science. Foundingle. They got an email Friday from the Presidential Personnel Office, saying their positions ended right then on behalf of President Donald J. Trump. This board, set up back in 1950, gives advice to the President and Congress on science and engineering policy. It approves big funding awards and shapes the foundation's direction. Normally, it has 25 members appointed by the President for staggered six-year terms, mostly experts from universities and industry and fields, like astronomy, math, chemistry and aerospace. Scientists on the board aren't shocked, but they're calling it a huge lead-down. Top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee, Maria Cantwell, slammed it as a risky hit to the expertise fueling American innovation. Now with no board in place, pushing through budget cuts to the foundation's $9 billion

1:04budget looks easier. The administration tried slashing it by more than half last year, but Congress held steady. They're eyeing deep cuts again this year, which could gut basic research and training for future scientists. The foundation's headquarters even got moved to a smaller spot after the Department of Housing and Urban Development took over their old digs in. Alexandria, Virginia, White House hasn't commented yet, leaving folks watching how this shakes out for U.S. science funding.