Scientists at National Science Foundation resist Trump administration's proposals
In the realm of federal policy, there's a significant shift underway. While some high-profile figures are stepping down and new initiatives are being introduced, a more subtle yet profound movement is taking place within the ranks of federal science agencies.
Allan Friedman, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's lead software bill of materials (SBOM) guru, has announced his departure from his position. Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman, formerly the Army's aviation chief, has taken up a new role as the head of the Army's Enterprise Marketing Office.
The White House is pushing for faster adoption of AI tools across the federal government through its AI Action Plan. However, the plan seems to be meeting resistance, not just from outside forces, but also from within.
Employees at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NASA are actively voicing their dissent against the Trump administration's actions. At the NSF, 149 employees submitted a dissent letter, anonymously as a protected whistleblower complaint, condemning policies they believe threaten the agency’s integrity. The letter calls for protection against politically motivated firings, release of frozen grant money, and greater transparency from Trump officials.
Similarly, NASA personnel have issued a formal dissent addressing multiple concerns, including administrative changes viewed as jeopardizing safety and mission assurance, specifically the alteration of NASA’s Technical Authority established after the Columbia disaster. They strongly oppose the White House budget proposal that would cut NASA's funding by nearly 25% and reduce its workforce by about one-third to levels not seen since the Apollo era.
The context of these dissent actions occurs alongside broader federal workforce reductions being implemented under a Trump executive order, which was recently allowed to proceed by the Supreme Court despite legal challenges and concerns about the unprecedented scale of federal job cuts. This creates an environment of heightened tension, fear of reprisals (as evidenced by administrative leaves at EPA), and active resistance among science agency employees trying to uphold their agency missions against political interference.
Elsewhere, the Energy Department's National Nuclear Security Administration was among dozens of organizations breached due to a zero day security vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint. The specific nature of the breach is not detailed.
In a separate development, Congress is advocating for right to repair provisions in the 2026 defense policy bill. The Department of Veterans Affairs is reviewing thousands of positions that are at risk of a possible downgrade.
In response to the growing concern about supply chain attacks, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a memo instructing the department's chief information officer to ensure IT capabilities are secure from such attacks.
This news serves as a reminder of the dynamic and often complex landscape of federal policy, where change is constant and resistance can come from unexpected quarters.
- The federal workforce is undergoing a transformation, with key figures like Allan Friedman leaving their positions and new roles being filled, such as Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman at the Army's Enterprise Marketing Office.
- The White House's AI Action Plan aims to accelerate AI adoption across the federal government, but faces resistance, not only from external sources, but also internally.
- Employees at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NASA have voiced their dissent against the Trump administration's actions, with NSF staff anonymously submitting a dissent letter condemning policies they believe threaten the agency’s integrity.
- NASA personnel have also issued a formal dissent, addressing concerns about administrative changes and proposed budget cuts that could jeopardize safety and mission assurance, and reduce the workforce to Apollo-era levels.
- These dissent actions are happening amidst broader federal workforce reductions under a Trump executive order, which has sparked tension, fear of reprisals, and active resistance among science agency employees.
- The Energy Department's National Nuclear Security Administration was among organizations breached due to a zero day security vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint, underscoring the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.
- Congress is advocating for right to repair provisions in the 2026 defense policy bill, while the Department of Veterans Affairs is reviewing thousands of positions at risk of a possible downgrade.
- In response to the growing concern about supply chain attacks, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a memo to secure IT capabilities from such attacks.
- The dynamic and complex landscape of federal policy is a constant arena of change, with resistance often emerging from unexpected quarters.
- The healthcare industry is focusing on health-and-wellness, with a growing emphasis on medical-conditions management and patient lifestyle changes.
- Personal-finance and banking-and-insurance sectors are evolving with technology, offering online-education resources for investing, planning, and managing one's finances.
- The business world, including home-and-garden and lifestyle industries, is adapting to shifting consumer demands, utilizing online platforms for shopping and skills-training.
- The education-and-self-development industry is increasingly relying on technology for online learning, providing access to general-news, crime-and-justice, and career-development resources.
- The finance industry is also investing in technology to combat crime-and-justice issues, such as car-accidents and fraud, leveraging AI for prevention and resolution.
- The political landscape, in the context of policy-and-legislation, is influenced by sporting events like football and NFL games, with sports policy standing as a key component of public affairs.
- The travel industry is adapting to the digital age, offering online job-search resources and promoting online education opportunities for its workforce.
- Amidst these changing realms, the importance of personal and professional skills training, as well as continuous learning, remains crucial for career development and staying competitive in the workforce reimagined.