What just happened? NASA has begun reducing its workforce and closing several key offices to comply with an executive order from President Trump. The restructuring is being coordinated with the US Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget. Announcing the mass layoffs, NASA stated it is beginning a "phased approach to a reduction in force" to optimize its workforce and comply with Trump's executive order. In an internal email, Acting Administrator Janet Petro did not specify the number of employees affected but noted that "a small number of individuals" had been notified that their jobs would be affected.A NASA spokesperson later confirmed to Business Insider that 23 employees were laid off across three departments: the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy; the Office of the Chief Scientist; and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility branch of the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. All three departments are being shut down as part of the compliance process.It is unclear which executive order NASA referenced in its press release, but media reports suggest it likely pertains to an anti-DEI order issued by Trump on January 20, the day he was sworn in for his second term. According to the official White House website, the order instructed the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to eliminate all "illegal" DEI programs across the federal government.A few days later, NASA announced it was complying with the order by closing all DEIA offices and terminating all DEIA-related contracts. The agency also directed employees to report any attempts by colleagues or officials to preserve DEI programs in violation of the order, warning that failure to do so within 10 days could result in "adverse consequences."NASA has faced mounting pressure from the Trump administration to reduce spending and cut its workforce. With Elon Musk leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the administration has laid off thousands of federal employees and slashed billions in funding for medical research, cyber threat intelligence, climate finance, affordable housing, veteran welfare, and other critical programs. // Related Stories