curtailment

Some fellows said any attempts to remove him could be seen as a curtailment of freedom of expression.

"Any sort of curtailment or cancellation of your trip as as a result of wildfires - whether that be you can't travel to your destination or you have to come home early - should be covered."

"The curtailments are a painful measure to take, but are necessary following a devastating event which we are still working through and an unusual combination of external events," it said.

Musk has already moved forward with major cuts, including sweeping workforce reductions, the curtailment of government operations and purges of entire agencies.

Other scientists who spoke to the BBC pointed out that an attempt to remove Mr Musk's fellowship could be seen as political interference and a curtailment of freedom of expression.