The Trump administration has begun laying off staff at NOAA as part of efforts to reduce the federal workforce and cut climate-related spending. The layoffs, starting on January 27, targeted probationary employees, with potentially up to 10% of NOAA’s workforce affected. Conservation groups criticized the cuts, warning they could weaken NOAA’s ability to monitor weather, climate, and ocean health, as well as respond to emergencies like hurricanes and oil spills. Organizations such as Oceana urged Congress to intervene, emphasizing the impact on jobs, marine conservation, and public safety.
