Trump fires National Science Foundation board, including 2 Catholic scientists

The Trump administration has dissolved the governing body that oversees the National Science Foundation, which included two high-ranking staff members at The Catholic University of America (CUA).

CUA Executive Vice President and Provost Aaron Dominguez was serving as vice chairman of the National Science Board (NSB) while CUA Vice Provost Victor McCrary was serving as NSB chair before the Trump administration fired all 22 board members on April 24.

“On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as a member of the National Science Board is terminated, effective immediately. Thank you for your service,” NSB members were informed in an April 24 email from the White House, a spokesperson for the National Science Foundation confirmed to EWTN News.

“The Supreme Court’s reasoning in U.S. v. Arthrex in 2021 raised constitutional questions about whether non-Senate confirmed appointees can exercise the authorities that Congress gave the National Science Board,” a White House official told EWTN News in a statement. “We look forward to working with the Hill to update the statute and ensure the NSB can perform its duties as Congress intended. The National Science Foundation’s work continues uninterrupted.”

The NSB oversees the National Science Foundation, advises the president and Congress on science and engineering policy, approves NSF funding awards, and publishes key reports on the state of U.S. science. Members serve staggered six-year terms.

The case cited by the administration, U.S. v. Arthrex, says federal boards whose members wield unreviewable executive power must be structured so that a properly appointed principal officer, one appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, can review or overrule their decisions.

The NSBʼs actions are advisory, policy‑setting, and subject to oversight by a Senate‑confirmed agency head. While not holding final executive authority, board members oversee a federal agency and approve billions in grants.

The board issued policy‑shaping publications such as Science and Engineering Indicators, Vision 2030, and its Skilled Technical Workforce reports, which influenced federal science priorities and congressional decision‑making. The board also issues merit‑review analyses that guide how the National Science Foundation allocates billions in research funding.

The Catholic University of America declined to comment on the firings. Dominguez and McCrary did not immediately respond to requests for comment.