Mon Apr 14 20:03:51 UTC 2025: ## NASA Fires DEI Chief Neela Rajendra Following Trump Executive Order

**Pasadena, CA** – Neela Rajendra, NASA’s former Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) chief, has been terminated from her position at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The dismissal comes in compliance with a Donald Trump executive order aimed at eliminating all such programs across the federal government.

Rajendra, who is of Indian origin, had previously been reassigned to the role of “Head of Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success” in an attempt to circumvent the executive order. This reassignment, which involved creating a new department for her, followed earlier cuts to NASA’s DEI programs and the termination of nearly 900 other DEI employees last year.

Despite the efforts to retain her, Rajendra’s employment was ultimately terminated in early April following a stricter enforcement of the executive order by the Trump administration. An email from JPL Director Laurie Leshin to employees announced her departure, expressing gratitude for her contributions and wishing her well.

Rajendra held a leadership role at NASA for several years, overseeing initiatives aimed at diversifying the workforce, including the “Space Workforce 2030” pledge. The Trump administration’s executive order cited concerns that DEI programs are divisive, wasteful, and discriminatory. NASA’s action follows similar moves by other federal agencies to eliminate their diversity programs.

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