Chicago, Illinois

Taylor is a geologist, recently employed by the U.S. Geological Survey to work on the problem of finding and extracting rare-earth minerals – the kind needed for EV batteries and other cutting-edge technologies. Taylor’s mission was to identify sources of these minerals inside the borders of the United States. Interviewed by Jacob Soboroff of NBC, Taylor noted that his job should have been safe under a President vowing to support the domestic production of goods and products currently imported from abroad.

Within weeks of the inauguration, however, Taylor had been fired along with others in his unit – even as the administration sought deals to purchase rare-earth minerals from Ukraine and Greenland. As a practical matter, Taylor said in his NBC interview President Trump seems to be “more interested in engaging in neocolonialism to get minerals from other countries, rather than supporting the scientists and the researchers who are aiding the minerals industry here in America.”

Date Posted: 3/10/25