Overview
- Board members, who received termination emails Friday, were told their roles ended immediately and all 22 seats were vacated at once.
- The White House said U.S. v. Arthrex raised constitutional questions about powers held by appointees who are not confirmed by the Senate and said it will seek changes to the statute.
- Officials added that the National Science Foundation’s work continues, though the board traditionally helps set policy for the $9 billion agency and advises Congress and the president.
- Keivan Stassun and other former members described disappointment and concern about increased political control, while Rep. Zoe Lofgren condemned the purge as harmful to U.S. science.
- Last year’s cost-cutting drive that halted or scrapped more than 1,600 NSF grants worth nearly $1 billion fuels worry that the shake-up could deepen funding uncertainty.