NASA Fires Indian-Origin DEI Chief Neela Rajendra Amid Revival of Trump-Era Executive Order
NASA has dismissed diversity chief Neela Rajendra following renewed enforcement of a Trump-era executive order. The move has sparked controversy over diversity policies in federal agencies.
Washington D.C., April 15, 2025 — In a surprising turn of events, NASA has terminated Indian-origin executive Neela Rajendra, who was serving as the agency’s Chief of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The decision comes amid the enforcement of a Trump-era executive order that has recently regained traction, leading to the review and rollback of several diversity-focused positions across U.S. federal agencies.
Neela Rajendra, a seasoned policy expert and advocate for inclusive workplace strategies, was widely praised for her initiatives aimed at promoting gender, racial, and cultural diversity within NASA's workforce. However, the resurfacing of Executive Order 13950 — originally issued during former President Donald Trump’s administration and aimed at curbing what was referred to as "divisive concepts" in federal training — has led to her dismissal.
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