Al Roker Criticizes Mass Layoffs at U.S. Weather Agency: Calls Decision ‘Bad for Everyone’
By Sam Gillette
Published on February 28, 2025, 01:21 PM EST
Hundreds of employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have been laid off as part of the latest round of federal cuts by the Trump administration. The decision has sparked outrage among scientists and weather experts, including Today anchor Al Roker.
“Going into the severe weather and hurricane season, this cannot be good,” Roker, 70, wrote on X, expressing concern over the impact of the layoffs.
According to Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell, at least 880 NOAA employees were terminated. NOAA, which provides critical weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental data, plays a vital role in public safety.
Concerns Over Public Safety
The layoffs, which may continue beyond Feb. 28, are part of the Department of Government Efficiency directive led by billionaire Elon Musk, who has overseen mass federal workforce reductions, CNN reports.
Roker and other experts warn that NOAA’s downsizing could have serious consequences. “NOAA is responsible for providing weather watches and warnings, monitoring climate, operating weather satellites, and protecting marine life,” Roker emphasized on X.
Although reports suggest that most of the layoffs affect employees on probationary status, many long-term NOAA workers were also dismissed. Tom Di Liberto, who had worked with NOAA since 2010 and became a full-time employee in 2023, was among those fired.
“We weren’t just hired — a lot of us have worked with NOAA for a long time,” Di Liberto told the Los Angeles Times. His termination letter cited his “ability, knowledge, and/or skills” as not fitting NOAA’s “current needs,” despite receiving positive performance reviews.
Experts Warn of Severe Consequences
Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA, also voiced his concerns on X: “The private sector, as it presently exists, simply cannot quickly spin up to fill any void left by substantial dismantling of NOAA and/or the NWS. These cuts are spectacularly short-sighted and will harm public safety and economic resilience.”
NOAA’s warnings have been critical in recent disasters, including the devastating Kentucky floods earlier this month that claimed eight lives, according to the Associated Press.
“The big picture: NOAA’s missions require staff to work around the clock to monitor dangerous weather, earthquakes that could cause tsunamis, and other hazards,” Roker stated. “Cutting these essential roles puts American lives at risk.”
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