▼ Summary
– Nearly 150 NSF employees anonymously sent a dissent letter to Congress, warning that Trump administration actions threaten the agency’s independence and scientific integrity.
– The letter, addressed to Rep. Zoe Lofgren, urged Congress to intervene against budget cuts, firings, withheld funds, and forced resignations at NSF.
– Employees revealed a covert, ideologically driven review process by political appointees interfering with NSF’s merit-based scientific evaluations.
– AFGE National president Everett Kelley emphasized Congress’s duty to oversee the executive branch, supporting NSF workers’ concerns.
– Rep. Lofgren pledged to protect NSF and whistleblowers like Jesus Soriano, condemning the administration’s culture of fear and retaliation.
Nearly 150 National Science Foundation (NSF) employees have raised alarms about what they describe as systematic efforts to undermine the agency’s independence and scientific integrity. In a strongly worded letter to Congress, staff members warned of drastic budget cuts, politically driven interference in research funding, and a hostile work environment under the current administration.
The letter, addressed to Representative Zoe Lofgren, a key figure on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, detailed concerns over unprecedented political meddling in NSF operations. Among the most serious allegations was the introduction of a shadow review process, where unqualified political appointees allegedly override decisions traditionally based on scientific merit. Employees also highlighted forced resignations, withheld funding, and plans to abruptly relocate the agency’s headquarters, a move seen as disruptive and unnecessary.
Jesus Soriano, president of the NSF employees’ union, was the sole signatory to publicly attach his name to the document. He emphasized that scientists and staff are being targeted for upholding professional standards, suggesting a deliberate campaign to erode institutional safeguards. The letter framed these actions as part of a broader strategy to politicize research funding and weaken the agency’s global reputation.
At a press conference, Lofgren vowed to take aggressive steps to protect NSF from what she called an existential threat. She condemned the administration for fostering a climate of fear, where employees risk retaliation for speaking out. “These allegations aren’t just troubling, they’re verifiable and deeply damaging to American science,” she stated, pledging congressional intervention.
The controversy comes amid growing scrutiny over federal science agencies facing ideological pressure and funding instability. With whistleblower complaints mounting, the NSF’s workforce is urging lawmakers to act before irreversible harm is done to the nation’s research infrastructure. The situation underscores a critical debate: whether scientific institutions can remain insulated from partisan agendas or if their autonomy will continue to erode.
(Source: Ars Technica)
