NOAA Faces Major Workforce Cuts Amid Warnings from Experts

Washington, D.C. — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has terminated hundreds of employees as part of recent staffing cuts that the agency’s former officials and current workers describe as detrimental to public safety and climate research. The firings, announced via email on Thursday, have left many employees shocked and concerned.

Emails sent by the Department of Commerce informed staff that their positions would end at the close of business that same day. The layoffs predominantly targeted probationary employees—new hires or staff who have recently transitioned into new roles—who make up approximately 10% of NOAA’s workforce.

“The majority of probationary employees in my office have been with the agency for over 10 years and just got new positions,” one staff member told The Guardian on the condition of anonymity due to fear of retaliation. “If we lose them, we’re losing not just the world-class work they do day-to-day, but also decades of expertise and institutional knowledge.”

Another employee voiced harsh criticism of the cuts, labeling the laid-off workers “dedicated, hard-working civil servants who came to NOAA to help protect lives and keep our blue planet healthy.” This worker added that the effects of cutting skilled experts would extend far beyond the agency itself. “Words can’t describe the impact this will have, both on us at NOAA and on the country,” the staffer said. “It’s just wrong all around.”

Andrew Rosenberg, a former deputy director of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, expressed deep concern over the staffing cuts. “There is no plan or thought into how to continue to deliver science or service on weather, severe storms and events, conservation, and management of our coasts and ocean life and much more,” he said. He refuted claims that the layoffs would improve efficiency, stating, “Let’s not pretend this is about efficiency, quality of work, or cost savings because none of those false justifications are remotely true.”

Among those affected were workers hired under Schedule A, a special hiring authority designed to improve outreach to diverse candidates, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. These employees typically undergo a two-year probationary period during which they have limited job security and labor protections.

Reports indicate that all probationary employees at NOAA’s Environmental Modeling Center, integral for enhancing weather, marine, and climate predictions, have been laid off. This situation has sparked outrage among lawmakers, including Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, who called the mass layoffs “flatly illegal” in a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

The climate advocacy group, Union of Concerned Scientists, expressed alarm over the cuts, with over 2,500 scientists signing a letter urging NOAA to sustain its funding and workforce. “This will cost American lives,” said Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, a member of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, echoing sentiments shared by Congressman Gabe Amo.

“By firing essential staff who work tirelessly on behalf of the American people, President Trump and Elon Musk are playing politics with our national security and public safety,” Amo asserted in a written statement. He further urged the immediate rehiring of laid-off public servants to prevent “additional chaos and confusion.”

During his confirmation hearing, Lutnick had assured Congress that NOAA would not face dismantling under his leadership. However, Dr. Juan Declet-Barreto, a senior social scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, questioned Lutnick’s integrity, stating, “It seems either Lutnick willingly lied to Congress and the American people or that he has caved under pressure.”

Former NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad described the cuts as “at best misguided and ill-informed,” warning that they could dangerously jeopardize American lives. “This is not my America,” said Craig McLean, a retired NOAA research director with four decades of service, labeling the process as “callous, insulting, vengeful and offensive.”

As of now, the Trump administration has not issued any comments regarding the layoffs.