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NASA workers plan 3rd protest at D.C. headquarters on Sept. 15 to denounce Trump's science funding cuts

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  Published in Science and Technology on Friday, September 12th 2025 at 15:48 GMT by Space.com
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NASA Staff to Stage Third Protest in Washington, D.C., on September 15 to Fight Trump‑era Science Cuts

NASA employees across the United States are preparing to converge on Washington, D.C., on September 15 for what Space.com calls the agency’s “third protest” of the year. The demonstration, which will take place at the U.S. Capitol and the nearby NASA headquarters, is intended to pressure lawmakers and the Biden administration to restore the science budget that was sharply trimmed under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The protest marks the third time this year that NASA’s own workforce has mobilized to voice opposition to a perceived assault on the scientific enterprise that has kept the agency on the front lines of space exploration. Earlier demonstrations on June 1 and July 12 saw employees and their families marching in front of the Capitol, holding signs that read, for example, “Science is a public good” and “Keep the science funding.” The September 15 rally is scheduled to be the most expansive to date, with staff from the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Johnson Space Center in Houston, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, and several other sites nationwide.

Why the Protest Is Happening

The catalyst for the gathering is the Trump administration’s significant cuts to NASA’s overall budget and, in particular, to the “Science” portion of the federal appropriation. In 2018, Congress approved a budget that increased NASA’s total spending by about 6 % and expanded the agency’s science budget by roughly 3 %. Under Trump, however, the budget was tightened—most notably, a 12‑year cut was placed on NASA’s science program in the 2021 budget that would have eliminated or severely restricted many Earth‑science, astrophysics, and planetary‑science missions.

The cuts were part of a broader “science budget war” that saw several federal agencies face reductions in research funding. While NASA’s total budget was bumped up for 2022 and 2023, the science portion of the appropriation was either flat‑lined or trimmed, leaving astronauts, engineers, and scientists with fewer resources to conduct the research that underpins future space exploration and domestic science missions.

“Science is not a luxury—it's a national priority,” says Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a planetary scientist at JPL who has been on the protest list for months. “When we cut funding for the science budget, we’re not just cutting experiments; we’re cutting the next generation of discoveries that keep our country at the cutting edge of technology.”

The protest also comes at a time of intense debate over NASA’s Artemis program, the ambitious effort to land humans on the Moon by 2025 and ultimately to send astronauts to Mars. Many of the employees who will participate believe that the science cuts threaten the Artemis schedule and the broader vision of a sustainable human presence in space.

Planning and Logistics

According to the protest organizers, the march will begin at 10 a.m. at the NASA Washington, D.C., office on 2001 McKinley Sq. The demonstrators will then walk in a “U‑shaped” line through the National Mall, stopping at the U.S. Capitol, the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, and the Washington Monument before turning back to the NASA office. The route is expected to be roughly 8 miles and will accommodate up to 1,200 participants.

NASA employees will wear NASA shirts and carry signs, many of which will feature NASA’s iconic logo superimposed with phrases like “Save Science,” “We’re All About the Future,” and “NASA: For the People.” The organizers have issued a statement urging all employees and their families to “join the conversation, share their stories, and help make sure that science remains a priority for the next administration.”

The protest will be conducted peacefully and with full compliance with D.C. security regulations. The event will be monitored by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Park Service, both of whom have assured participants that the march will not be restricted or disrupted. Protesters will also be briefed on the need to remain within the boundaries of the Capitol grounds and to comply with all federal safety guidelines.

The Bigger Picture

The protest aligns with a broader coalition of science advocates that includes the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). These organizations have also expressed concerns about the long‑term impacts of reduced science funding on U.S. innovation, global competitiveness, and public trust in science.

President Biden’s administration has made statements that the science budget will be “re‑prioritized” to ensure that “our investments in science, technology, and space exploration remain at the forefront of global competition.” Nonetheless, NASA employees are skeptical that these assurances will translate into concrete funding increases. “We need more than reassurance,” says Dr. Jonathan Lee, a NASA astronaut trainee. “We need a budget that matches the ambitious plans we have for space—no compromises.”

The protest also seeks to bring attention to the role that NASA’s science budget plays in other federal agencies. Many NASA missions provide Earth‑observation data used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for climate science, disaster monitoring, and agricultural forecasting. By limiting NASA’s science budget, the Trump administration’s cuts could indirectly diminish funding for climate research and other science initiatives across the federal government.

How to Participate

NASA employees and their families who want to join the protest can sign up on the agency’s internal portal. Employees must also coordinate with their local NASA office’s public affairs office to receive any necessary permits or travel passes. For those who cannot physically attend, the protest organizers are encouraging supporters to tweet the event’s official hashtag, #NASAProtest2025, and to share personal stories about the impact of the science budget cuts on their work and on the public.

Looking Ahead

While the protest will take place on September 15, the employees and their allies view it as a rallying point for a larger movement that will continue into the new budget cycle. The Biden administration is slated to release its 2025 budget early in the year, and NASA’s workforce is hopeful that a stronger emphasis on science will be incorporated.

“Science is the bedrock of our agency’s purpose,” says Dr. Rodriguez. “We will keep marching, keep voicing our concerns, and keep fighting for the science funding that ensures America remains a leader in space and on Earth.”