NOAA Firings - February 2025

The Trump administration, influenced by entities like Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and guided by principles outlined in Project 2025, initiated mass layoffs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other federal agencies in late February 2025. These layoffs disproportionately targeted probationary employees, impacting critical functions such as weather forecasting, climate research, and emergency services. The moves have drawn criticism from lawmakers, scientists, and agency staff, who warn of significant damage to public safety, the economy, and the nation's ability to respond to extreme weather events.

Key Themes and Information:

• Mass Layoffs at NOAA:Hundreds of employees were fired, impacting various divisions within NOAA, including the National Weather Service (NWS), satellite divisions, the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, and the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. (Axios)
• The New York Times reports firings are expected to affect over 800 employees out of a total of 13,000 at NOAA.
• Impact on Agency Functions:Layoffs are expected to "set the agency back years and compromise the integrity of missions that directly support human health and safety, economic prosperity and national security.” (NYT, policy analyst quote)
• The SF Chronicle cites a person familiar with the matter as saying, "Some NOAA offices could lose up to 25% of their staff."
• Timing and Context:The firings occurred shortly after Howard Lutnick was sworn in as the new Commerce Department secretary, under which NOAA falls. (NYT)
• Layoffs coincide with potential severe weather outbreaks and the approaching Atlantic hurricane season. (WaPo)
• Motivations and Ideological Influences:Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is cited as a driving force behind the cuts. (Axios, SF Chronicle)
• Project 2025 also suggests commercializing the National Weather Service. (NYT)
• Reactions and Concerns:Lawmakers have denounced the layoffs, with Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) stating the move is "a direct hit to our economy, because NOAA's specialized workforce provides products and services that support more than a third of the nation's GDP." (Axios)
• Miyoko Sakashita, the director of oceans projects at the Center for Biological Diversity, stated, "Gutting NOAA will hamstring essential lifesaving programs that forecast storms, ensure ocean safety and prevent the extinction of whales and sea otters.” (NYT)
• Specific Examples of Impact:Emma Esquivel, executive assistant to Alaska’s National Weather Service director, received a termination email stating she was "not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge and/or skills do not fit the agency’s current needs.” (NYT)
• Andrew Hazleton, a physical scientist for the Weather Service and a veteran of NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter missions, confirmed his termination. (WaPo)
• Financial Implications:The National Weather Service budget is roughly $1.4 billion, which equates to about $4 per taxpayer. (SF Chronicle)
• The SF Chronicle states that a 2024 report showed weather service forecasts provide an estimated benefit of $102.1 billion to the U.S. public, which is a return of $73 for every dollar invested.