Attacks on Science

The Trump administration and 115th Congress have been actively dismantling science-based health and safety protections, sidelining scientific evidence, and undoing recent progress on scientific integrity.

Below is a running list of attacks on science—disappearing data, silenced scientists, and other assaults on scientific integrity and science-based policy. The list provides a representative sample of threats to the federal scientific enterprise.

Attacks on science

Agency Type of attack

Food and Drug Administration Skirts Scientific Process to Keep Food Safe

The FDA failed to enforce a policy that protects food from potentially unsafe chemicals.

Homeland Security Officials Modified Intelligence Reports to Downplay Politically-Inconvenient Threats

DHS officials delayed or modified several intelligence reports on the threat of Russian political interference in the US.

CDC Defunded by $300 Million for a Politically-Motivated Ad Campaign

CDC officials were sidelined in a decision to remove $300 million from the agency’s budget.

White House Installs Political Operatives at the CDC

The White House installed two political operatives at the CDC to control what information the CDC releases on COVID-19.

CDC Order to Dock Cruise Ships was Substantially Weakened

The White House blocked a science-based order from the CDC extending a no-sail order for cruise ships until mid-February.

White House Blocks CDC From Requiring Masks on Public Transit

The CDC drafted an order requiring all passengers and employees to wear masks on public transportation, but the White House chose to block the order.

The silhouette of a factory emitting smoke.

The EPA suspended anti-pollution laws during the pandemic

The EPA temporarily suspended its enforcement activities, allowing industrial facilities to decide whether they would comply with environmental laws.

Two polar bears standing near each other.

Polar Bear Study by USGS Scientists Shelved for Three Months

The Director of the USGS delayed the release of a study on polar bear dens for three months.

CDC Scientists Sidelined in Decision to Seal US Border

The White House ordered the CDC to use their emergency powers to effectively seal the US borders in March, overruling the agency’s scientists who said there was no evidence the action would slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

White House Blocks FDA’s Vaccine Guidance Document

The White House blocked the release of an FDA guidance document, which detailed steps that pharma companies need to take to produce a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.

We've seen this movie before. And we know how to fight back. We're standing up for science. We're inviting scientists to securely share information on scientific integrity abuses. And we're encouraging our supporters to watchdog this administration and Congress, as we did during the George W. Bush administration and the Barack Obama administration.

Beyond this list, many other moves by the president and Congress degrade the environment for science and scientists in this country. For example, the president’s Muslim ban hurts science and scientists, including those working for the federal government and the president’s rescinding transgender protections is damaging to the ability of all young budding scientists to reach their full potential. These actions are also important to document, and we continue do so on the UCS blog.

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