The news fell on Tuesday, March 11. “In order to optimize its workforce, and in accordance with a decree, NASA begins the progressive process (known as RIF) to reduce its workforce,” said spokesperson for the space agency, Cheryl Warner. And who says reduction of workforce, says wave of layoffs. A total of 23 NASA employees were asked to leave their function.
The organization is not the only victim of Donald Trump’s obsession for federal budget cuts. The American Ministry of Education also communicated on Tuesday a similar news, but on a whole other scale: almost half of its staff will be dismissed. A first step towards the complete dismantling of the institution, honored by the American president and the Republicans.
The chief scientist of NASA left to the quay
“A small number of people were informed on March 10 that they were targeted by this procedure. These employees can choose to participate in an early retirement plan, if they are eligible, or follow the rif procedure”. Here is how the American space agency announced the dismissal of 23 of its employees. Among them: Katherine Calvin, chief scientist of NASA and renowned climatologist. Appointed to this position by Joe Biden in 2022, the researcher contributed to numerous key reports of the United Nations on the climate. At the end of February, Katherine Calvin had already been prevented from attending a meeting of UN climate experts who was held in China. A symbolic, premonitory gesture of the announcements to come.
22 other positions have also been targeted by this wave of layoffs within offices dedicated to technological policy, diversity, equity and inclusion. Next April 10 will mark their last day of work in the American space agency.
Last week, the Planetary Society, a non -profit organization that promotes space exploration sounded the tocsin. According to her, the Trump administration could consider reducing the budget for NASA activities by half. During a speech on the days spent, the American president claimed to put more emphasis on human space flights, rather than on the scientific missions of the agency. “We are going to drive humanity in space and plant the American flag on the planet Mars and even far beyond,” he said. Other workforce reductions are expected.
More than half of the licensed workforce
Second victim: the Ministry of Education. An organization that Donald Trump accuses of promoting progressive ideas and that he has never hidden wanting to delete. Before a potential dismantling announced by the Minister of Education Linda McMahon on Fox News, the American president has made a massive reduction of staff. In total, 2,200 employees out of 4,100 are affected by the news, more than half of the workforce. According to a statement from the ministry, nearly 600 of them had agreed to leave in recent weeks as part of a plan to reduce the workforce of the federal state piloted by Elon Musk. 1,300 others will be placed on administrative leave from March 21. With these layoffs, the government hopes to save $ 500 million a year.
“It is clear that we do not delete education,” said Linda McMahon on Fox News, explaining that the president only wanted to “suppress bureaucracy of education”. During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump had promised to “rid” this ministry to transfer his powers to the American states, while these already have most of the skills in this area.
But dismantling the Ministry of Education is not as simple as the real estate magnate claims. The organization cannot be entirely dismantled without the adoption of a law which requires 60 votes in the Senate, where the Republicans currently have 53 seats. In the meantime, budget cuts will already be difficult to bear for schools. Federal subsidies are invaluable for establishments located in economic and social disadvantaged areas, as well as for students with learning disabilities. What arouse the anger of elected democrats, teaching unions and many parents who see it as an unprecedented attack on public education.