Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration has laid off approximately 600 probationary employees from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), affecting key personnel responsible for weather forecasting, radar system maintenance, satellite data collection, and commercial fisheries monitoring.
Termination notices were issued on Thursday across NOAA offices nationwide as part of the administration’s broader efforts to reduce the federal workforce. Reports suggest the layoffs could extend to more than 800 of NOAA’s 13,000 employees, with additional job cuts expected on Friday.
The decision has raised concerns over the impact on critical climate and weather research, with experts warning of potential disruptions to essential forecasting and environmental monitoring services.
Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge William Alsup has intervened, ordering the administration to halt further mass firings, questioning the legality of the dismissals. The ruling casts uncertainty over the scope of the government’s downsizing plans and their implications for federal agencies.
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