Trump’s Anti-DEI Order Claims Another Target: NASA-JPL’s Neela Rajendra

Photo: LinkedIn

India-West News Desk

PASADENA, CA – NASA’s attempt to shield Neela Rajendra has ultimately failed.

Rajendra, a prominent advocate for workplace equity and inclusion, has been officially removed from her position at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Her dismissal follows the Trump administration’s executive order dismantling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies, labeling them as discriminatory and a misuse of taxpayer funds.

Rajendra had been serving as NASA’s Chief DEI Officer, where she championed inclusive hiring practices and led key initiatives like the Space Workforce 2030 pledge and JPL’s Black Excellence Strategic Team.

In an effort to retain her after the executive order, JPL had reassigned her to a newly created role: Chief of the Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success. This title omitted direct DEI references while preserving much of her previous portfolio, including oversight of employee affinity groups.

Despite this workaround, Rajendra was let go earlier this month. In an internal email, JPL Director Laurie Leshin confirmed her departure, saying, “Neela Rajendra is no longer working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. We are incredibly grateful for the lasting impact she made on our organization. We wish her the very best.”

NASA is now among several federal agencies that have shut down DEI departments in compliance with the Trump administration’s directive.

Prior to her tenure at NASA, Rajendra held leadership roles in corporate diversity initiatives and was widely recognized for her expertise in organizational development. She holds a degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from Wake Forest University School of Business.