Trump Orders NOAA To Slash 1,000 Jobs In New Cuts

The Trump administration has reportedly ordered the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to cut 1,000 more jobs as part of a broader push to shrink federal agencies. This follows an earlier reduction of 880 positions in February that trimmed NOAA’s workforce from 12,000 to 11,120. Experts fear these latest cuts targeting a 20 percent workforce reduction could cripple weather forecasting and climate research at a critical time.

The directive aligns with President Trump’s pledge to streamline government operations and reduce spending. NOAA oversees vital services like the National Weather Service which employs 4,000 staff and tracks hurricanes and storms. Losing another 1,000 workers risks weakening these efforts especially as hurricane season looms on the horizon.

Critics argue the cuts threaten public safety by undermining the agency’s ability to predict natural disasters accurately. Former NOAA officials have warned that slashing staff could lead to outdated maritime maps and less reliable storm forecasts. Such disruptions might cost lives and billions in property damage if warnings falter when they are needed most.

The administration defends the move as a necessary step to eliminate waste and refocus taxpayer dollars on core priorities. Officials claim critical roles like meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center will be spared from the axe. However insiders report that even some radar specialists and hurricane hunters have already been let go raising doubts about these assurances.

NOAA’s workforce has already shrunk by over 10 percent since Trump took office with 880 layoffs and additional resignations. The latest order pushes that figure closer to a 20 percent total reduction from its original 12000 employees. This pace of downsizing has sparked protests from scientists who say the agency is being gutted at a reckless speed.

Industries reliant on NOAA data like shipping and agriculture could face ripple effects from the cuts. Accurate weather predictions guide planting seasons and safe maritime routes worth billions to the economy. Former administrator Rick Spinrad called the reductions a dangerous gamble with America’s safety and prosperity hanging in the balance.

Congressional Democrats have blasted the decision accusing Trump and his efficiency czar Elon Musk of prioritizing ideology over science. They warn that hollowing out NOAA could leave coastal states vulnerable to storms with less warning time. Republicans counter that a leaner government better serves taxpayers tired of funding bloated bureaucracies.

The full impact of these cuts may not emerge until disaster strikes and response capabilities are tested. Experts predict it could take years to rebuild NOAA’s lost expertise if the administration reverses course later. For now the agency braces for a leaner future as it sheds staff amid growing unease from the public and scientific community.