July 9, 2025 — President Trump has ordered the termination of more than 2,000 senior NASA employees, just one day after the Supreme Court cleared the way for mass federal layoffs.
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The firings hit staff at the GS‑13 to GS‑15 level, among NASA’s most experienced engineers, researchers, and mission leads. The action follows Trump’s March executive order authorizing a massive “Reduction in Force” across federal agencies through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Until now, legal challenges had delayed implementation.
The layoffs coincide with Trump’s appointment of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as interim NASA Administrator, signaling a political realignment of the agency’s top leadership. Duffy has no prior aerospace experience.
NASA’s science and policy arms, already gutted earlier this year by the closure of its Chief Scientist, Technology Policy, and DEIA offices, now face a brain drain of historic proportions. More than 40 active missions are at risk due to broader budget cuts proposed in Trump’s FY2026 budget.
This action was made possible by a July 8 Supreme Court ruling, which lifted an injunction on Trump’s mass federal workforce reductions, effectively giving the White House unilateral authority to restructure or eliminate entire agencies.
More soon!
At this point, based on his recent performance at his cabinet meeting and the tariff meeting, it’s difficult to accept that Trump is giving out any orders. I don’t think he has the mental capacity or attention span to be making these types of decisions. I’m waiting for someone, anyone, in congress to start hauling in Steven Miller to find out what he’s been up to. It looks a lot like this is mostly his doing, along with Suzy Wiles.
Oh cool, now they’ll be recruited by other countries. Just like international students. Winning!