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
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/blog/2015/11/NREL-Solar-Workers-on-Roof-300x225.jpg?itok=rt8ysAA9)
OSHA Failed to Protect Workers From COVID-19
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/scientific-integrity-abuses/csd-attacks-epa-office.jpg?itok=obCDF24F)
EPA Official Blocked Attempts to Inform Communities of Cancer-Causing Gas
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/scientific-integrity-abuses/csd-attacks-cant-ignore-climate-change.jpg?itok=MxvwEEcN)
Trump Administration Prevented the Publication of Climate Change Research
![Sign saying Danger - Hazardous Chemicals](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2019-09/danger-hazardous-chemicals.jpg?itok=nb0PCsk_)
White House Added Political Review Process for Scientific Assessments of Chemicals
![A gloved doctor holds a swab test.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-09/1500-900-swab-test.jpg?itok=hrrHmyFk)
Trump Administration Manipulated COVID-19 Data to Justify Reopening
![Northern Spotted Owl](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2021-07/1500-900-northern-spotted-owl.jpg?itok=hrT7KK8y)
Trump Administration Sidelined the Science on a Threatened Owl Species
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/csd-attacks-cant-ignore-climate-change.jpg?itok=HThxIAsd)
Trump Administration Censored Information on Water Pollution, Climate Change, and Endangered Species
![A doctor wearing a face mask and hair net.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2022-09/1500-900-bored-doctor.jpg?itok=jFtHJtH3)
FDA Officials Ignored Scientific Concerns When Approving an Alzheimer’s Drug
![The White House.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2021-05/1500-900-white-house-front.jpg?itok=8XkLtO2t)
White House Posts Climate Change Denialist Misinformation
![A person standing in front of a fire](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2021-05/1500-900-fire-sil.jpg?itok=DfVYCnTT)