Concerns Rise as Doge Staffers Enter NOAA Amid Reports of Cuts
There’s been a major shake-up at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as staffers from Elon Musk’s so-called "Department of Government Efficiency" (Doge) reportedly entered NOAA’s headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, as well as the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. The move has sparked serious concerns about potential cuts and threats to the agency’s mission.
According to reports, these individuals bypassed security and demanded access to NOAA’s IT systems, which hold crucial and often confidential data. Andrew Rosenberg, a former NOAA official and current fellow at the University of New Hampshire, described the situation as alarming. He noted that this aligns with long-standing efforts to limit public access to NOAA’s data, which private corporations have long sought for commercial use.
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At the heart of this controversy is Project 2025 , a policy document authored by former Trump administration staffers, which calls for NOAA to be downsized and even dismantled. The reasoning? The belief that NOAA’s role in climate science is "harmful to U.S. prosperity." This has raised red flags among environmentalists, scientists, and lawmakers who see the agency’s work as essential for public safety, environmental protection, and economic stability.
Beth Lowell, U.S. vice president of the ocean conservation non-profit Oceana, warns that any effort to gut NOAA will have widespread consequences. NOAA isn’t just about climate research—it also oversees the National Weather Service, which provides critical forecasts and storm alerts that protect communities across the country. If NOAA’s budget or workforce is slashed, it could impact everything from hurricane warnings to sustainable fisheries. She pointed out that millions of Americans depend on healthy oceans, well-managed fisheries, and NOAA’s scientific expertise for their livelihoods.
The fear among critics is that this isn’t just about budget cuts—it’s a deliberate strategy to dismantle the agency before anyone can stop it. Rosenberg believes the approach is to act first and deal with any legal or political pushback later. If NOAA is weakened, the consequences could be severe, affecting industries, local economies, and even public safety.
As of now, NOAA has declined to comment and has deferred inquiries to the Department of Commerce, which has yet to respond. But one thing is clear: this situation is far from over, and the future of NOAA—and its vital work—remains uncertain.
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