The Trump administration has taken a significant step toward dismantling a premier climate and atmospheric research institution in Colorado, marking a new escalation in what critics describe as a sustained campaign against scientific inquiry.
Plan Announced Via Social Media
Russell Vought, the Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, revealed the plan on social media on Tuesday night. He stated that the National Science Foundation would be breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado.
"A comprehensive review is underway & any vital activities such as weather research will be moved to another entity or location," Vought wrote. He further accused the renowned research center of producing what he termed "climate alarmism." This announcement aligns with a nearly year-long pattern of the administration rolling back environmental initiatives. It also follows President Donald Trump's recent declaration at the United Nations, where he labelled climate change the "greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world."
What is NCAR and Why Does It Matter?
Established in 1960, NCAR is a state-of-the-art research laboratory where approximately 800 scientists and support personnel conduct critical Earth science. Their work is foundational to modern life, focusing on:
- Improving the prediction of severe weather events.
- Developing accurate air quality forecasts.
- Modeling flood risks and predicting droughts.
- Studying and predicting wildfire behaviour.
- Researching the impact of solar storms on Earth's systems.
Antonio Busalacchi, president of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research which manages NCAR, confirmed that no official plans had been communicated to the facility. In a statement, he emphasized the center's vital role, saying, "We do not have additional information about any such plan."
Busalacchi warned that dismantling NCAR would severely damage America's capacity to predict and respond to natural disasters. "NSF NCAR’s research is crucial for building American prosperity by protecting lives and property, supporting the economy, and strengthening national security," he stated. "Any plans to dismantle NSF NCAR would set back our nation’s ability to predict, prepare for, and respond to severe weather and other natural disasters."
Political Backlash and Broader Retaliation
The move has sparked immediate and fierce condemnation from Colorado's congressional delegation. Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), in whose district NCAR resides, along with Democratic Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, issued a joint statement denouncing the reports.
"Efforts to dismantle this institution and its essential programs are deeply dangerous and blatantly retaliatory," the lawmakers asserted. "We intend to fight back against attempts to gut this cutting-edge research institution with every tool we have."
This action appears to be part of a broader pattern of retaliation against Colorado. On the same Tuesday, the Trump administration also cancelled $109 million in federal transportation grants for the state. This included a $66 million grant earmarked for a critical rail safety mechanism in northern Colorado.
These measures coincide with President Trump's recent threats against Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D). Trump demanded Polis pardon and release Tina Peters, a former county clerk serving a prison sentence for her role in a scheme to breach voting machine data based on false 2020 election fraud claims. The administration has attempted to move Peters to federal custody and granted her a symbolic pardon last week. On Monday, Trump baselessly accused Polis of being influenced by a Venezuelan gang. Governor Polis has shown no indication of acquiescing to these demands.
