‘Public safety is at risk’: Trump official gutting agency behind fires and floods research
A Trump official has planned to gut the National Center for Atmospheric Research — the group behind fires and floods research — in the next move to dismantle federally-funded climate research.
Russ Vought, director of the United States Office of Management and Budget, announced Tuesday night that the National Science Foundation would break up the agency, Politico reported.
“This facility is one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country,” Vought wrote on X, claiming that research activities would be moved to other agencies.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis responded to the move, warning that the decision reveals “science is being attacked.”
“NCAR delivers data around severe weather events like fires and floods that help our country save lives and property, and prevent devastation for families,” Polis said. “If these cuts move forward we will lose our competitive advantage against foreign powers and adversaries in the pursuit of scientific discovery.”
NCAR has given resources to universities and academics to use earth system research and has been located in Boulder, Colorado since 1960.
The Trump administration has made significant budget cuts to the National Weather Service as part of broader efforts to reduce federal spending and streamline government operations, with reductions affecting meteorological research, forecasting capabilities, and satellite programs.
These cuts have raised concerns among weather forecasters, climate scientists, and emergency management officials who warn that reduced funding could compromise the accuracy of weather predictions, hurricane tracking, and severe weather warnings that are critical for public safety and disaster preparedness.
Critics have blamed these cuts for the slow federal emergency response to flooding in Texas in July and have concerns this could impact responses to the hurricane season. The White House has rejected these claims.