NASA will shut down three offices amid Trump layoffs

NASA told its staff Monday that the space agency will start cutting its ranks − including the office of its chief scientist − as part of a "broader governmentwide restructuring effort."
Janet Petro, the acting director of NASA, announced the move Monday in a memo to staff obtained by Paste BN, calling it a "phased reduction in force" that is "occurring in advance" of a Thursday deadline for agencies to submit layoff plans to the government's human resources arm.
The memo did not disclose how many NASA jobs will be cut.
The cuts will close 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, the memo said. The agency would also reduce the workforce in the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity.
Agencies throughout the government are expected to submit plans to the Office of Personnel Management, as part of mass layoffsTrump announced Feb. 11 with his multibillionaire advisor Elon Musk, the public face of the Department of Government Efficiency.
"Our colleagues impacted by these changes have been valued members of our team," Petro wrote. "Their hard work has helped shape our successes in recent years, and we are deeply grateful for all they have contributed."
Paste BN has reached out to NASA for comment.