The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is considering closing its Washington headquarters and redistributing its responsibilities among different states, a proposal that could affect up to 2,500 jobs, the online publication "Politico" reported. (Politico), citing sources familiar with the plan, reported BNR.
The move is in line with the Trump administration's push to reduce federal spending.
While most of NASA's operations are conducted at its 10 centers, the Washington office plays a crucial role in the agency's advocacy in Congress, securing White House support and coordinating with international space partners.
While some of NASA's Washington offices may remain, the details of which functions will remain and which personnel will be affected remain unclear, Politico notes.
Meanwhile, President Trump's administration is laying off more than 100 employees from the civil rights division of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the New York Times reported on Friday, citing five current and former government officials.
According to the NYT, more than 100 staff members have been told they will be placed on 60-day leave to secure another position in the administration or be fired in May.
The report also states that the US president has also closed the Office of the Ombudsman for Citizenship and Immigration Services, which was responsible for reviewing the Trump administration's legal immigration policies.
The administration reportedly laid off about 130 employees from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) at the Department of Homeland Security last month.