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
Trump Appointee Added Citizenship Question to 2020 Census Over the Objection of Scientists
Wilbur Ross has added a question to the 2020 census asking if the respondent is a US citizen. The question is being added without going through normal testing procedures.
DOI Officials Dismiss Evidence on Benefits of National Monuments
The Department of the Interior (DOI) dismissed evidence showing the benefits of preserving our national monuments.
Trump Administration Rescinds Policy that Promoted Science-Based Decision-Making for National Parks
Top officials at the Department of the Interior ordered the deputy director of the National Park Service to dismiss directive that promoted science-based decision-making as a guiding principle for national parks preservation.
Department of Interior Buries Communications Policy After Attempting to Justify Muzzling Scientists
In June, the Los Angeles Times broke the story about a new policy at the US Geological Survey (USGS) requiring scientists to get permission before speaking to reporters and representing a dramatic change from decades of past media practices.
White House Try to Cover Up Chemical Health Assessment
The Trump administration successfully stopped the publication of a study measuring the health effects of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of hazardous chemicals found in drinking water and household products throughout United States
DOI Restricts Scientists From Attending Scientific Conferences
The Department of Interior (DOI) and two agencies under the DOI have carried out policies that block or restrain federal scientists from attending or presenting at scientific conferences. High quality research often results from rich collaborations.
NIH Staff Allowed Alcohol Industry to Bias Major Study
When conducting a study looking at the benefits of moderate drinking, staff from the NIH violated federal policy by soliciting funding for the study from the alcohol industry.
Trump Administration Raids Workers’ Tip Jars, Buries Data Showing That’s a Horrible Idea
In December the Trump administration proposed a new rule that specifically allows employers to control and distribute tip income as they see fit, taking away control of tip money from the employees—food servers, baristas, and many others.
Administrator Pruitt Ignores EPA Staff Analysis of HONEST Act Costs
An EPA analysis showing that Congress’s proposed “HONEST Act” would cost the agency more than $250 million per year was buried by Administrator Pruitt’s office. The analysis, conducted by experts at the EPA, never made it to CBO.
Department of Energy Prematurely Shutters Tropical Research Project
The Department of Energy is terminating the Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiment – Tropics (NGEE-Tropics) research project about seven years ahead of schedule.
Related resources
Report
Improving Election Data Transparency
Recommendations for states on best practices for improving election data transparency.
Activist Resource
The Electric Utility Toolkit
A set of resources and ideas for making a more just and inclusive power grid.
Activist Resource
The Science and Climate Litigation Webinar Series
Trainings, discussions, and case studies focused on the intersection of law, climate change, and science.
Activist Resource
Scientist Community Partnerships
Scientist-community partnerships can help level the playing field for communities that are being shut out of important policy discussions, and UCS is taking an active role in fostering these collaborations.