NASA Reduces Workforce by Over 20 Percent - NASA Trims Over 20 Percent of Workforce Positions
During the Trump administration's second term, which began in 2025, there were notable leadership changes at NASA. However, no explicit public data could be found regarding specific staffing or budget changes focused on Moon and Mars missions.
Leadership Shuffle
Sean Duffy was appointed as the acting NASA Administrator by President Donald Trump on July 9, 2025, replacing Janet Petro who had been acting since January 20, 2025. Jared Isaacman, a confidant of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, was originally nominated by Trump in December 2024 but his nomination was withdrawn by May 31, 2025, reportedly due to political donations and connections.
Staffing and Budget Changes
The results do not mention any budget increases, cuts, or staffing changes specific to NASA’s Moon (Artemis) or Mars exploration programs under Trump's administration to date. It is known that NASA’s workforce has experienced a decrease, with the number of employees dropping from over 18,000 before Trump's inauguration to around 14,000. Approximately 870 employees participated in the first round of job cuts.
Balancing Efficiency and Innovation
NASA is trying to strike a balance between a streamlined and more efficient organization and one that can continue a golden age of exploration and innovation. The U.S. government is advocating for NASA's budget to prioritize a return to the Moon and a mission to Mars. The focus of NASA's exploration and innovation is primarily on the Moon and Mars.
Safety and Budget Allocation
Safety remains a top priority for NASA. Despite a reduction in research and climate programs, the budget focus includes the Moon and Mars missions. The number of employees could still fluctuate in the coming weeks.
Interim Leadership
The interim head of NASA is U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. No new information was found about employees who agreed to delayed terminations or the job cuts at NASA being implemented during the Trump administration.
[1] NASA Watch
[2] Space.com
[1] Despite Donald Trump's administration's second term starting in 2025, there is no direct evidence, as gathered from NASA Watch and Space.com, that more than 20 percent of the place, off, specific to the NASA's Moon and Mars missions, was allocated in building the agency during that time.
[2] The general news outlets do not report any significant science, finance, or politics-related changes at NASA concerning the space-and-astronomy sector such as a higher allocation for the Moon and Mars projects during Trump's tenure.
[3] Instead, during the Trump administration, Sean Duffy took on the role of NASA Administrator, while there were reductions in NASA's workforce and research programs, but the focus on the Moon and Mars missions remained the place, off.
