Trump Administration Removes All Members of the National Science Board

Apr 26, 2026, 20:40

Introduction

On April 24, the Trump administration dismissed all 22 members of the National Science Board (NSB). This board is the advisory group responsible for overseeing the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Main Body

The dismissals were sent via email, stating that the removals were effective immediately. The NSB was created by Congress in 1950 and usually consists of members serving six-year terms to ensure stability. The board's role is to manage the NSF's budget—which is over $9 billion—and set long-term goals for science and engineering research. So far, the White House has not explained the reasons for this decision or stated if new members will be appointed. This action follows a period of budget disputes and staffing changes. The administration proposed cutting the NSF budget by more than 50% for two years, although Congress rejected the 2026 plan. Furthermore, the agency has lost over 30% of its staff since January 2025, and Director Sethuraman Panchanathan resigned in April. These changes happen while the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been canceling many research grants. Opinions on these moves are divided. Critics, such as Representative Zoe Lofgren, claimed that the administration is trying to remove independent scientific oversight. Former board members asserted that without the NSB, the government can now decide budget priorities alone. On the other hand, the administration has emphasized growth in the technology sector, particularly in AI and cryptocurrency, while reducing the power of traditional scientific advisors. This follows a pattern of removing advisory boards in other agencies, such as the CDC, to replace them with people who share the administration's views.

Conclusion

The National Science Board currently has no members. As a result, the oversight and strategic direction of the National Science Foundation are now under the direct control of the executive branch.

Vocabulary Learning

dismiss (v.)
to remove someone from a position or job / 免職；解雇免職；解雇
Example:The administration dismissed all 22 members of the National Science Board.
disputes (n.)
arguments or disagreements over something / 爭議；糾紛爭議；糾紛
Example:The action follows a period of budget disputes and staffing changes.
efficiency (n.)
the quality of being efficient; effective use of resources / 效率效率
Example:The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been canceling many research grants.
oversee (v.)
to supervise or manage a project or organization / 監督；管理監督；管理
Example:The board's role is to oversee the NSF's budget.
strategic (adj.)
relating to long-term planning and goals / 戰略的；策略性的戰略的；策略性的
Example:The oversight and strategic direction of the National Science Foundation are now under the direct control of the executive branch.

Sentence Learning

The dismissals were sent via email, stating that the removals were effective immediately.
Passive Voice: The sentence uses a passive construction where the subject (the dismissals) receives the action of the verb 'were sent', showing that the action is performed on the subject.被動語態: 該句使用被動語態，主語「dismissals」接受動詞「were sent」的動作，表示動作施加於主語。
The board's role is to manage the NSF's budget— which is over $9 billion—and set long-term goals for science and engineering research.
Relative Clause: The clause 'which is over $9 billion' provides additional information about the NSF's budget.關係子句: 子句 'which is over $9 billion' 為 NSF 預算提供額外資訊。
The administration proposed cutting the NSF budget by more than 50% for two years, although Congress rejected the 2026 plan.
Contrast Conjunction: The word 'although' introduces a clause that contrasts with the previous statement, showing that the plan is rejected despite the proposal.對比連接詞: 'although' 引入對前述提議的對比，顯示儘管提議存在，計畫仍被否決。
These changes happen while the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been canceling many research grants.
Time Conjunction: The word 'while' shows that the changes are occurring concurrently with the cancellation of research grants.時間連接詞: 'while' 表示變化與取消研究補助金同時發生。
The NSB was created by Congress in 1950 and usually consists of members serving six-year terms to ensure stability.
Infinitive Purpose Clause: The phrase 'to ensure stability' explains the purpose of members serving six-year terms.不定詞目的子句: 不定詞片語 'to ensure stability' 說明成員任期六年是為了確保穩定。