When in doubt, check the wayback machine. For what it’s worth I really believe these changes were meant to be (and have the potential to be) for the betterment of our trainee opportunities.

These were announced in Sept, but applicants needed time to meet the new criteria so they didn’t go into effect until Jan. Nothing to do with the current administration.

I don’t think that’s what’s going on here. I think the screenshot you’re showing is from the new F31 guidelines, which were implemented under the last presidential administration with the goal of giving more trainees an opportunity to be considered competitive for the awards.