NASA announces DOGE revamp with mass layoffs and department shutdowns in cost-cutting move; here are the key divisions that will be shuttered

NASA is bringing in various kinds of revamping around its federal workforce, and some of the affected departments include the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy; the Office of the Chief Scientist; and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility branch. These moves align with President Donald Trump’s executive order to streamline federal agencies under the oversight of the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Are NASA’s scientific and strategic goals still intact?

Acting Administrator Janet Petro informed staff of the changes in an email, calling the restructuring an opportunity to create a more “efficient and effective” agency. However, critics argue the cuts risk undermining NASA’s scientific and strategic goals. For example, the Office of the Chief Scientist plays a critical role in aligning NASA’s research with national priorities, such as climate studies, space exploration, and technological innovation.

NASA’s workforce is vital to maintaining U.S. leadership in space and science. Engineers, scientists, and policy experts drive advancements in rocket technology, satellite communications, and planetary research. The Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, for instance, helps shape mission plans and partnerships, ensuring projects like the Artemis moon missions stay on track. Meanwhile, diversity initiatives foster innovation by bringing varied perspectives to complex challenges, such as designing habitats for Mars or improving satellite data accuracy.


The layoffs follow broader federal workforce reductions, with thousands of employees cut across agencies and billions slashed from programs. The Office of Personnel Management has directed all agencies to submit reorganization plans by March 13, signaling more changes ahead. A current NASA employee warned that dismantling the Office of the Chief Scientist sends a troubling message, suggesting scientific expertise is no longer central to national objectives.

As NASA reshapes its workforce, the balance between efficiency and expertise remains in focus. With ambitious goals like returning humans to the moon and combating climate change, the agency’s ability to retain skilled talent will be crucial to its future and to America’s role as a global leader in science and exploration.