Trump pressure hits science as NASA scientist Kate Marvel resigns
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
Renowned climate scientist Kate Marvel has officially left her position at NASA’s Earth Sciences division, reports Bloomberg.
NASA climate scientist Kate Marvel cited pressure on scientific work from the administration of President Donald Trump and instability in research programs as reasons for her decision to resign from the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS).
In a letter to management, she stated that the administration of US President Donald Trump had carried out systematic attacks on science over the past year, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty for researchers.
Furthermore, in her statement, she emphasized that she never expected a situation where science itself would be under threat, as it is a tool for seeking objective truth, much like history or journalism.
Kate Marvel’s scientific contributions
Kate Marvel has worked within NASA’s structures since 2014.
She began her role as a research physicist at the Goddard Institute in January 2024. Before that, from 2014 to 2023, she was a contract researcher.
Her research focused on central issues in climatology, including evidence that human activity is causing climate change and how rapidly warming may occur.
She is also the author of the well-known book Human Nature and numerous scientific papers that are of fundamental importance to modern climatology.
Problems caused by Trump’s policies for the development of climate science
- Budget uncertainty: In 2025, the White House proposed cutting NASA’s science budget in half. Although funding was ultimately preserved, months of uncertainty demoralized the staff.
- Loss of workspace: In May 2025, the federal government terminated the lease for the building that had housed the Goddard Institute since the 1960s. As a result, scientists were forced to work in inadequate conditions, literally looking for space on couches.
- Cancellation of climate programs: The administration effectively halted work on the Sixth National Climate Assessment - a key government study for which Marvel had contributed to previous editions.
Despite her resignation, Kate Marvel emphasized that she continues to believe in the agency’s overall mission but considers the current political situation surrounding climate research unacceptable.
Official NASA representatives declined to comment on the personnel changes, citing confidentiality.
NASA’s new priorities
NASA is redirecting some of its resources toward major space projects, including the establishment of a permanent base on the Moon, for which it plans to spend about $20 billion over seven years. Additionally, the Artemis II mission is scheduled for launch on April 1, 2026, which will send a crew on a flight around the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17.
NASA had initially planned the launch for February, but it was postponed due to technical checks on the rocket’s fueling system.
Furthermore, the agency is working on a new spacecraft for future missions to Mars, marking the next phase of the long-term deep space exploration program.
