NASA Faces Major Workforce Reduction as 4,000 Employees Opt for Deferred Resignation

NASA is poised to experience a significant reduction in its workforce as nearly 4,000 employees have opted to participate in the Trump administration’s Deferred Resignation Program (DRP). This decision equates to a workforce reduction of over 20%, as confirmed by NASA News Chief Cheryl Warner in an email to reporters on July 25.

The DRP allows employees to take paid administrative leave until a mutually agreed-upon departure date. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the White House aimed at decreasing government expenditures. Warner noted that NASA employees had two opportunities to apply for the program. In the initial phase, which concluded in February, approximately 870 employees, representing 4.8% of the workforce, chose to participate. During the second phase, which ended just before midnight EDT on July 25, about 3,000 employees—or 16.4% of the agency’s total staff—made the same choice.

This latter group includes employees who also opted into two other similar initiatives: the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program. Warner indicated that the final numbers could fluctuate in the upcoming weeks, as some employees may withdraw their applications or have them rejected.

In addition to the DRP, NASA has seen a natural attrition of around 500 employees since President Trump took office in January. By January 9, 2026, when those participating in the DRP’s second phase officially depart, NASA’s workforce is expected to shrink to approximately 14,000 employees. The combined impact of the DRP and related initiatives will result in an estimated 21% cut to the agency’s workforce.

These workforce reductions are part of a larger strategy to cut NASA’s budget. The proposed federal budget for 2026 includes a 24% reduction in overall funding for NASA, with a proposed near halving of the agency’s science budget. Such cuts have faced opposition from various stakeholders, including scientists and engineers who are concerned about the implications for American science and astronaut safety.

In response to these proposed budget cuts, nearly 300 NASA scientists recently signed the “Voyager Declaration,” which warns that these financial reductions could have severe consequences for space science and exploration in the United States. Protests have arisen from both the scientific community and the public, highlighting the widespread concern regarding the future of NASA and its crucial role in advancing space exploration and research.