More than 2,100 senior employees at NASA are expected to depart the agency as part of a workforce reduction initiative, Politico reported Wednesday, citing internal documents. The cuts primarily affect employees in GS-13 to GS-15 positions—some of the highest-ranking roles in the U.S. civil service.
The reduction includes offers of early retirement, buyouts, and delayed resignations. NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said the agency remains committed to its mission while operating under a more constrained budget.
The downsizing comes as NASA faces uncertainty under the Trump administration, which has proposed major budget cuts and program cancellations. The agency is also currently operating without a confirmed administrator.
Jared Isaacman, a billionaire astronaut and close ally of Elon Musk, was previously nominated for the role but was abruptly removed from consideration last month following rising tensions between Musk and President Trump.
