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By Kanishka Singh<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON, April 27 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump’s administration has terminated the entire National Science Board of more than 20 \u200cmembers, two fired members of the board said on Monday.<\/p>\n
Here \u200care some details:<\/p>\n
\u2022 The independent board was established in 1950 to guide the governance of \u200bthe National Science Foundation and to advise the president and the Congress on policies about science and engineering.<\/p>\n
\u2022 It included over 20 members appointed for six-year terms.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Since taking office in early 2025, Trump has put pressure on \u200cindependent institutions. Political experts \u2060say his administration is attempting to remake those bodies by installing loyalists in leadership positions and by removing independent \u2060and critical voices.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Board members were told on Friday they were being ousted effective immediately, members Yolanda Gil and Keivan Stassun, said in emailed statements.<\/p>\n
\u2022 “Yes, \u200ball 22 \u200bcurrent members of the National Science \u200bBoard were terminated on Friday \u200ceffective immediately. No reason was given,” Gil, who works at the Information Sciences Institute of the University of Southern California, said.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The majority of the board members were academics. It also had representation from national labs, non-profits and the industry, Gil told Reuters.<\/p>\n
\u2022 “Seeing similar actions by the Administration across the \u200cfederal government and especially with regards to \u200bscientific research, it seemed only a matter \u200bof time,” Stassun, who works \u200bat Vanderbilt University, said.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Stassun, who said he was \u200cdisappointed, also confirmed Gil’s account that \u200bFriday’s termination email \u200bdid not provide any reason.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The National Science Foundation directed questions to the White House.<\/p>\n
\u2022 A White House official said authorities given \u200bto the board by \u200cCongress when the board was created may need updating. The National \u200bScience Foundation’s work “continues uninterrupted,” the official said.<\/p>\n
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh \u200bin Washington; Editing by Kim Coghill)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n