Trending Now - Trump Administration Dismisses All Members of National Science Board

WHO:

Yahoo - President Trump’s administration terminated the entire National Science Board, which included over 20 members.

Yahoo - Board members Yolanda Gil and Keivan Stassun confirmed their termination.

Ars Technica - The board members included academics, representatives from national labs, non-profits, and industry.

WHAT:

Yahoo - The National Science Board was established in 1950 to guide the governance of the National Science Foundation and to advise the president and Congress on policies about science and engineering.

Yahoo - The board members were appointed for six-year terms.

Yahoo - A White House official stated that authorities given to the board by Congress when it was created may need updating.

Yahoo - The National Science Board was fired effective immediately, with no reason provided for the terminations.

Ars Technica - All 22 current members of the National Science Board were terminated.

WHERE:

Yahoo - The actions took place in Washington, D.C.

WHY:

Yahoo - Political experts say Trump’s administration is attempting to remake independent institutions by installing loyalists in leadership positions and by removing independent and critical voices.

Yahoo - Political experts suggest that Trump’s administration is attempting to remake independent institutions by installing loyalists and removing critical voices.

Yahoo - Stassun expressed disappointment, indicating that similar actions by the administration across the federal government regarding scientific research made the terminations seem inevitable.

HOW:

Yahoo - The National Science Foundation directed questions regarding the terminations to the White House.

Yahoo - Board members were informed of their termination via an email sent on a Friday.

(UPDATED April 28, 2026 11:31 UTC)

The National Science Board, established in 1950 to guide the governance of the National Science Foundation and advise the president and Congress on science and engineering policies, is facing potential updates to the authorities granted to it by Congress. Political experts are noting that Trump’s administration appears to be reshaping independent institutions by placing loyalists in leadership roles and sidelining critical voices. In response to recent terminations, the National Science Foundation has directed inquiries to the White House for further clarification.

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(UPDATED April 28, 2026 05:56 UTC)

In a significant move, President Trump’s administration has terminated the entire National Science Board, which consisted of 22 members, effective immediately and without any explanation. Board members Yolanda Gil and Keivan Stassun confirmed their dismissals, expressing disappointment over what they see as a broader trend of the administration reshaping independent institutions by removing critical voices. The terminations were communicated to the board members through an email sent on a Friday, and the actions took place in Washington, D.C.