Title: NASA Scrapping Diversity Initiatives as Per Trump's Directives
NASA swiftly followed the Trump administration's termination of federal employees in diversity, equity, and inclusion roles by halting its own diversity program. On Wednesday afternoon, acting administrator Janet Petro issued a memo directing her team to shut down offices associated with diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). The memo also suggested canceling related contracts.
The move comes as NASA works towards increasing diversity among its workforce and is on track to send the first woman and person of color to the Moon. In 2023, NASA was recognized as one of the nation's top employers for diversity. The space agency began its DEIA initiatives in 2012 and added inclusion as a core value in 2020. By 2021, women and minorities made up around 35% and 30% of NASA's workforce, respectively, according to a report from NASA's Office of Inspector General.
Petro's memo appeared to dismiss the agency's DEIA programs, calling them divisive, wasteful, and discriminatory. The NASA Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity website now displays a "404 Not Found" error message.
Petro cited Trump's executive orders as justification for the closure of NASA's DEIA offices. The memo also hinted at efforts to conceal contracts related to diversity programs, asking employees to report any such attempts.
NASA isn't the only federal agency impacted by the new policy; others, such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health, are also required to terminate their diversity programs. The importance of diversity in agencies like NASA is underscored by the lack of diversity in the field.
It wasn't until 1978 that NASA selected its first diverse class of astronauts, which included the first African-American and Asian-American astronauts, along with the first women. The issue extends beyond NASA. Black and Latino students tend to leave STEM programs at a higher rate than their white peers, according to a 2019 study.
Despite NASA's advancements in diversity, efforts to promote inclusivity on Earth should not be overlooked.
Enrichment Insights:
- The executive order from President Trump revoked former President Biden's DEIA order, demanding federal agencies to terminate DEI, DEIA, and environmental protection programs within 60 days. This included ending diversity officer positions, equity action plans, and related grants or contracts while also assigning authority to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the attorney general, and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to review and revise employment practices, union contracts, and training policies related to DEIA.
- After the memo, NASA started the process of closing its DEIA offices and ending all DEIA-related contracts, including removing the agency's diversity and inclusion website and social media accounts. The affected employees were placed on paid administrative leave.
- The order marks a significant reversal of the Biden administration's efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in federal agencies. The decision draws criticism from some, including Everett Kelley, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, who argues that undermining DEI programs undermines merit-based civil service and turns federal hiring and firing decisions into loyalty tests.
The closure of NASA's DEIA offices and the termination of related diversity programs could potentially hinder future efforts in using space technology and science for inclusivity, as these initiatives played a significant role in increasing diversity within NASA's workforce. The Trump administration's policy, which affects other federal agencies as well, might impact the future recruiting and retention of minorities in STEM fields, such as astronomy and engineering.
