In her annual State of the Science address, Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), addressed the turmoil in U.S. science policy over the past year, highlighting issues such as diminished federal support, significant downsizing of science agencies, and a concerning trend of talent leaving the country. McNutt emphasized that the U.S. is losing its status as a magnet for STEM talent, with many top researchers seeking opportunities abroad. She criticized recent funding cuts under the Trump administration, which have affected approximately 100,000 federal employees and resulted in the loss of nearly 8,000 scientific grants. To counter these challenges, McNutt advocated for stronger partnerships between scientists and industry, urging universities to support researchers in this endeavor. She also recommended reducing regulatory hurdles and leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance research productivity. While her call for innovation was broadly supported, some scientists voiced skepticism, fearing it might compromise the integrity of publicly funded research. McNutt concluded that innovation is essential for maintaining the U.S. research enterprise's global leadership.