On August 25, 2025, what criticism did Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick level against NATCAST’s staffing composition when voiding its $7.4 billion semiconductor research grant agreement?

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Lutnick accused Biden of "stacking NATCAST with former Biden officials," referring to Natcast hiring former Commerce Department political appointees who had worked on CHIPS Act implementation. This created a revolving door where government employees who designed the Natcast structure then left to work for the nonprofit receiving billions in federal funding. Critics argue this ensures continuity and expertise; Lutnick argued it creates conflicts of interest where insiders benefit financially from programs they designed while in government (Commerce press release, Aug. 25, 2025; Manufacturing Dive, Aug. 27, 2025).

On August 25, 2025, what criticism did Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick level against NATCAST’s staffing composition when voiding its $7.4 billion semiconductor research grant agreement?

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