NASA has announced significant job cuts as part of a governmentwide restructuring effort, with the office of its chief scientist among those affected. The acting director of NASA, Janet Petro, revealed in a memo that these reductions are a phased process leading up to a deadline for agencies to submit layoff plans to the government’s HR arm. While the exact number of job losses was not disclosed, the cuts will entail closing NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy, the Office of the Chief Scientist, and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility branch within the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. Additionally, there will be a reduction in workforce in the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity.

This move aligns with broader efforts across government agencies following an announcement by Trump on Feb. 11, in collaboration with his advisor Elon Musk, to implement mass layoffs. Petro acknowledged the contributions of the impacted colleagues, emphasizing their role in shaping NASA’s recent successes and expressing gratitude for their hard work.

As agencies prepare to submit their layoff plans to the Office of Personnel Management, the impact of these changes is likely to be felt throughout the government. USA TODAY has sought comment from NASA regarding these developments. The restructuring signals a significant shift within the agency, reflecting broader changes occurring in the federal government landscape.