Following an order from President Trump, NASA dismissed Neela Rajendra, an official of Indian origin. This dismissal resulted from the decision to eliminate diversity programs.
Neela Rajendra: Due to an executive order from then-President Donald Trump, Neela Rajendra, a high-ranking official of Indian descent at NASA, lost her job. Following Trump's order to eliminate diversity programs, NASA was forced to terminate Neela's employment.
Trump's Strong Stance on Diversity Programs
The Trump administration ordered the termination of diversity programs, alleging they fostered racial discrimination within American society. Consequently, all government agencies were instructed to dismiss employees appointed under these programs. Trump believed that diversity programs divided America along lines of race, gender, and color, thereby exacerbating discrimination.
Neela Rajendra's Contribution to NASA
Neela Rajendra served as NASA's head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Under her leadership, NASA implemented several initiatives to promote equality and inclusion among its employees. However, following Trump's order, NASA eliminated the DEI office and reassigned Neela to the position of "Head of Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success." This was largely a nominal change; she continued working on DEI initiatives.
NASA's Decision and Neela's Dismissal
NASA attempted to save Neela Rajendra's job by reassigning her, but ultimately, they were compelled to terminate her employment due to Trump's executive order. Laurie Leshin, director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), informed employees via email that "Neela is no longer a part of JPL. We will always be grateful for her contributions and wish her the best in her future endeavors."
Trump's Views on Diversity Programs
Former President Donald Trump believed that diversity programs not only promoted division but also represented a waste of government funds. He argued that such programs increased feelings of discrimination within society and diminished a sense of unity. This led to his order to eliminate diversity programs, posing significant challenges for numerous government departments.
