National Science Foundation fires 168 probationary employees on Trump administration's orders

The National Science Foundation — an independent federal agency that funds scientific research around the globe — has fired 168 probationary employees in adherence to orders from the White House, according to an agency spokesperson.

The dismissals, effective as of Tuesday, were made to ensure compliance with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump last week, the NSF spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch in an email. The NSF had 1,450 employees prior to Tuesday's job cuts, the spokesperson said. The 168 workers who were fired represent about 12% of that number.

Federal workers who are in a probationary period are still in a trial period that typically extends for one to two years of employment. These workers, who haven't yet gained civil service protection, are currently the focus of widespread cuts across multiple agencies as part of President Trump's efforts to shrink the size of the federal government.