The National Weather Service has halted translations of its weather products due to a lapsed contract with translation service provider Lilt. This change, occurring amid federal budget cuts under the Trump administration that have led to staffing vacancies, risks leaving non-English speakers without timely, life-saving weather alerts.

Following the mass firings of over 600 NOAA workers, a U.S. district judge issued a temporary restraining order that led to the reinstatement of nearly 800 affected NOAA employees. Although the reinstated workers remain on administrative leave pending further decisions, the move is seen as a protective measure for labor rights against abrupt, politically-driven workforce cuts.

On March 12, 2025, NOAA laid off 1,029 employees as part of a broader Trump administration initiative to reduce federal workforce by 20%. The action, amid sweeping federal cuts and controversial efficiency drives linked to authoritarian government policies, has raised serious concerns over the undermining of worker rights and the stability of essential public services.

NOAA is set to cut 1,000 jobs as part of a broader federal cost-cutting measure initiated by the Trump administration, following an earlier round of 880 layoffs. This reduction, impacting nearly 20% of its workforce, poses significant concerns for employee rights and the agency's capacity to fulfill its public service mission.

A fired-and-rehired NOAA worker, Donny Newsom, criticized the blanket termination of over 880 probationary employees as a short‐sighted, politically driven cost-saving measure under the Trump administration. Newsom argued that such layoffs, which included experienced and qualified workers, jeopardize the effectiveness of critical operations including projects at the National Hurricane Center.

The Trump administration’s cost‐cutting measures have led to NOAA firing at least 800 workers, terminating several expert advisory committees, and proposing the closure of a key weather forecasting facility in Maryland. These actions have raised alarms over the undermining of worker rights and the degradation of vital public services.

On February 27, 2025, NOAA began a process of firing hundreds of probationary workers, an action linked to politically driven restructuring under the conservative Project 2025 blueprint. The firings, which affect between 560 and 1,830 staff, have raised concerns regarding the undermining of worker rights and the integrity of a vital public service agency.

Approximately 650 probationary NOAA employees, including weather forecasters and climate experts, were abruptly terminated under orders that many experts claim are illegal. In addition, an effort to rapidly terminate leases on multiple facilities has raised concerns about regulatory capture and the undermining of the agency's operational independence, with potential severe consequences for public safety and data integrity.

Supervisors at NOAA reportedly executed potentially illegal mass terminations of about 650 probationary employees, including forecasters and climate researchers. This move is seen as politically motivated, undermining labor rights and compromising the agency’s ability to provide critical public safety and climate information.

On February 28, 2024, NOAA Fisheries hosted the Seafood Labor Summit, part of the CALM-CS initiative, gathering over 100 officials from government, academia, labor, environmental groups, and the seafood industry. The summit focused on eliminating forced labor in the seafood supply chain by discussing ethical recruitment, best practices, and data analysis to promote safe and legal working conditions.

On June 9, 2023, Rep. Frank Lucas introduced H.R. 3980, a bill aimed at establishing NOAA as a standalone, independent agency with formal statutory authority. The proposed legislation seeks to streamline NOAA's operations, promote scientific integrity by mandating strategic planning by its Science Advisory Board, and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies by reorganizing the agency and removing overlapping functions such as Space Commerce.

A full committee hearing held by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology discussed proposals to establish NOAA as an independent agency. Advocates argue that this move could shield the agency from politicization and enhance scientific integrity, thereby ensuring decisions are based on science rather than political influence.

NOAA has outlined an Artificial Intelligence Strategy that leverages AI for weather forecasting, climate modeling, and environmental monitoring. The strategy includes the establishment of the NOAA Center for Artificial Intelligence aimed at integrating AI across various environmental and scientific projects, enhancing data-driven decision-making and environmental management.

NOAA Fisheries has launched initiatives, including the establishment of the Sub-Working Group on Labor in the Seafood Supply Chain in 2021, to address forced labor and unsafe working conditions in the seafood sector. The agency collaborates with interagency partners and international organizations to uphold labor standards and ensure that products made under forced labor do not enter U.S. markets.

NOAA Fisheries has outlined measures to detect and deter forced labor practices within the seafood industry. The agency is committed to preventing products produced through forced labor from entering U.S. markets and has initiated efforts including a Report to Congress, as mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2020, to address human trafficking and labor abuses in the seafood supply chain.

NOAA Fisheries outlines its commitment to combating human trafficking and forced labor within the seafood industry. The agency's report to Congress and subsequent recommendations seek to ensure that products produced under conditions of labor abuse do not enter U.S. markets, highlighting measures to improve labor conditions and supply chain transparency in the fishing sector.