Hundreds of NOAA Employees Laid Off in Federal Cuts

The Trump administration, alongside Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, has laid off hundreds of employees from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), sparking strong criticism from Democratic lawmakers and climate experts. The layoffs included two rounds, affecting a total of around 10% of NOAA's workforce, including vital meteorologists and technicians responsible for weather forecasting and emergency alerts. Lawmakers like Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Grace Meng condemned the firings as reckless and potentially harmful to public safety, especially amid ongoing severe weather threats. Critics argue that the reductions could impair NOAA's ability to respond effectively to natural disasters, risking lives and property. The move is part of broader federal workforce downsizing efforts, criticized for being short-sighted by experts like climate scientist Daniel Swain. NOAA, responsible for critical weather prediction infrastructure, faces significant operational challenges due to these cuts.