NASA embraced diversity. Trump’s DEI purge is hitting space scientists hard

NEWS
14 February 2025

NASA embraced diversity. Trump’s DEI purge is hitting space scientists hard
Some researchers at NASA and outside it feel betrayed by the changes at the agency, which was known for promoting inclusion in science.
By Alexandra Witze

In the corridors of NASA buildings across the United States, Pride flags and pictures celebrating women in science are being taken down. Scientists are adding space-mission stickers to their laptops to cover ones that displayed rainbows and other symbols of LGBT+ support. Employees are stripping pronouns from their e-mail signatures and holding darkly humorous conversations in which they try to avoid saying any pronouns at all.

These and other changes are rippling through NASA, which is purging programmes involving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) throughout the agency. The directive to do so came from US President Donald Trump, who on 20 January issued an order to eliminate DEI initiatives across the federal government.

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