Colorado Sens. John Hickenlooper (D) and Michael Bennet (D), and Rep. Joe Neguse (D) called for an independent investigation Friday into this week’s mass firings at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
In a letter to Roderick Anderson, the Commerce Department’s deputy inspector general (IG), the Colorado Democrats called for the IG’s office to probe the firings, which reportedly affected between 500 and over 1,000 workers at the agency. The Commerce Department oversees NOAA.
In the letter, the lawmakers cited the agency’s work on satellite technology, weather information and warning information about natural disasters such as wildfires. They also called the mass firings illegal and raised concerns around alleged access granted to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffers to NOAA systems.
“The value of NOAA and its programs are clear. Any attempt to unilaterally halt them would constitute egregious overreach of executive power, jeopardizing the safety and well-being of countless Americans,” the members wrote.
“The American people deserve answers about what President Trump and DOGE have done and plan to do with this crucial agency, which has demonstrated tremendous effectiveness at saving lives and property and serving critical economic and strategic national interests,” they continued.
The firings, which were reportedly in the works before the confirmation of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, have sparked widespread pushback from Democratic lawmakers since the initial reports.
Bennet, Hickenlooper and Neguse’s remarks echo those of House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Colo.), who sharply criticized the cuts when they were first reported Thursday afternoon.
“People nationwide depend on NOAA for free, accurate forecasts, severe weather alerts, and emergency information,” Huffman said. “Purging the government of scientists, experts, and career civil servants and slashing fundamental programs will cost lives.”
The Hill has reached out to the Commerce Department Office of Inspector General for comment.
