This is probably repeating something said above, but, from The Register:

National Science Foundation staff axed by Trump fear for US scientific future

An inside tale: Probation extended, tenure revoked, a scramble to merge research portfolios, and more

With the National Science Foundation cutting staff to comply with President Trump's order for sweeping federal government layoffs, concerns are growing over the impact on America's role in scientific and technological research.

And it's not just outside observers raising the alarm - both former and remaining NSF employees we spoke to expressed deep concerns following Tuesday's terminations. The cuts affected about 10 percent of the agency's workforce, with many blindsided by the move, which some say may have violated federal regulations.

The blessed Liz Truss (remember her?) was said to had a mantra, which she said she'd got from a businessman: Whenever entering a new job in charge of anybody, 10% of the staff are deadwood, and can be fired. That, and her total inability to realise she needed to learn what she was doing, worked out well for the UK when she became PM.

"And so it begins," said Ambassador Kosh.