University of Texas at El Paso President Heather Wilson was among the 24 members of the U.S. Science Foundation ousted by the Trump administration.
All members of the council were fired on Friday, April 24, via email. The message, from Mary Sprowls of the Presidential Personnel Office on behalf of President Donald Trump, informed each member that their position on the National Science Board was terminated effective immediately and thanked them for their service.
Wilson was appointed by Trump to serve on the board in March 2020. Her six-year term was set to expire on May 10. Wilson had previously served as Trump’s Air Force secretary in his first term.
While no official reason has been given by the White House for the mass firing, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Ca, chided the decision as setting the way for only MAGA loyalists to serve on the independent board.
The independent board is tasked with overseeing the National Science Foundation, a federal agency where researchers can apply for project funding. The board was also created in 1950 to advise the president and Congress on scientific policy. The board also has the authority to oversee the actions of the $9 billion foundation, set policy and approve large expenditures.
UTEP directed all questions to White House officials, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Kristian Jaime is the Top Story Reporter for the El Paso Times and is reachable at Kjaime@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP president Heather Wilson ousted from U.S. Science Foundation
Reporting by Kristian Jaime, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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