Science is at the core of a healthy democracy. But for years, presidential administrations have, in differing ways, sidelined scientific evidence and attacked scientific integrity.
Below is a running list of attacks on science. They include disappearing data, silenced scientists, suppressed studies, and other assaults on science-based policy. The list provides a representative sample of threats to the federal scientific enterprise—and a warning of what we face in the future. More information can be found in our peer-reviewed study and in our data repository.
Attacks on science
![Pearl River backwater in Mississippi.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2022-06/1500-900-MI-wetlands.jpg?itok=FDMBGev6)
EPA Leadership Ignored EPA Scientists’ Concerns Over Mississippi Wetlands
![EPA building.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-06/1500-900-epa-building.jpg?itok=irO7pcxo)
Trump Officials Ignored Concerns from EPA Scientists on Vehicle Efficiency Rule
![A top down view of soda cans.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2022-03/1500-900-soda-pd.jpg?itok=FxlJ_Qog)
Political Officials Under Trump Refuse to Adopt New Dietary Guidelines
![Three different face masks hanging on pegs.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2022-03/1500-900-three-masks.jpg?itok=C6GjKOJd)
Trump administration interfered with CDC’s public outreach on COVID-19
![](/themes/custom/ucstheme/assets/default-teaser.png)
Distorting Scientific Knowledge on Florida Panthers
![Beakers of chemicals laid out on a table.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2022-02/1500-900-chemicals-clear.jpg?itok=GhPx3RsI)
EPA Officials Interfered with Chemical Safety Studies
![Five doctors working operating on a patient.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2022-02/1500-900-cancer-doctors.jpg?itok=jlnJX69U)
EPA Downgrades Severity of Cancer-Causing Pesticide
![Lots of fish.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2021-11/1500-900-lots-o-fish.jpg?itok=0T9NHqn8)
Trump Administration Undermined Scientific Report on Endangered Species in California
![Cars in a haze on a highway.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/vehicles-air-pollution.jpg?itok=R10br3wq)
EPA Made it Harder to Enact New Air Pollution Regulations
![Two children stand side by side wearing backpacks and masks.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2021-11/1500-900-kids-school-masks.jpg?itok=y6ZmVWOL)