NASA fires Indian-origin Diversity chief after Trump's order

Washington: Neela Rajendra, the Indian-origin official who led Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts at NASA, is the latest victim of President Trump's sacking of personnel in roles that ensure equal opportunity and justice across immigrant communities.

Rajendra has been formally dismissed in line with a sweeping executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump targeting DEI programs across all federal agencies.

The dismissal of Rajendra is seen as falling in line with Trump's policy of undoing systems that ensure egalitarian work force, in addition to his disdain for immigrants reflected in several other executive measures.

Rajendra’s departure follows weeks of internal attempts by NASA to retain her by restructuring her role. In March, the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) reassigned her to lead a newly established department titled the “Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success.” The move was widely seen as a strategic effort to shield her from the implications of the administration’s directive. Although her job title changed, her core responsibilities remained largely intact, including oversight of employee support programs and leadership of affinity groups such as the “Black Excellence Strategic Team.”

Despite these efforts, the Trump administration's intensified crackdown on DEI earlier this month rendered the reassignment ineffective, ultimately leading to her dismissal. An internal email circulated at JPL last week officially confirmed her exit. The message, reportedly from JPL Director Laurie Leshin, stated, "Neela Rajendra is no longer working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. We are incredibly grateful for the lasting impact she made to our organisation. We wish her the very best.”

Rajendra had served NASA for several years and was a key figure in initiatives such as the “Space Workforce 2030” pledge, aimed at increasing representation of women and underrepresented minorities within NASA’s workforce. Her removal is part of a broader federal overhaul under the Trump administration, which has already eliminated hundreds of DEI-related positions across multiple government departments.

President Trump’s executive order argues that DEI programs foster division, misuse taxpayer funds, and contribute to reverse discrimination. In response, NASA has become one of several federal agencies to fully dismantle its diversity offices.

With IANS inputs