The Trump administration has disbanded the governing body that oversees the National Science Foundation, which included two high-ranking staff members from the Catholic University of America (CUA).
Executive Vice President and Provost of CUA Aaron Dominguez While CUA Vice Provost, served as Vice Chairman of the National Science Board (NSB) Victor McCreary He served as NSB chairman before the Trump administration dismissed 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 US v. Arthrex in 2021 raised constitutional questions about whether non-Senate appointees can exercise the authority that Congress gave to the National Science Board,” a White House official told EWTN News in a statement. “We look forward to working with Hill to update the statute and ensure that the NSB can perform its duties as Congress intended. The work of the National Science Foundation 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 major reports on the state of American science. Members serve staggered six-year terms.
The case cited by the administration, US v. Arthrex, states that federal boards whose members do not have reviewable executive power must be structured in such a way that an appropriately appointed principal officer, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, can review or overrule their decisions.
The NSB’s actions are subject to advisory, policy-making and oversight by the Senate-confirmed agency head. While not holding ultimate executive authority, board members oversee a federal agency and approve billions in grants.
The Board issues policy-shaping publications such as Science and Engineering Indicators, Vision 2030, etc. and its skilled technical task force reports, which influenced federal science priorities and congressional decision making. The board also issues merit-review analyzes that guide how the National Science Foundation allocates billions in research funding.
The Catholic University of America declined to comment on the shooting. Dominguez and McCrary did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
