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
![The arm of someone in a hospital bed.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-12/1500-900-hospital-arm.jpg?itok=SwOeUepJ)
OSHA is Allowing Companies to Not Report COVID-19 Hospitalizations Among Workers
![A USGS elevation marker.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-12/1500-900-usgs-marker.jpg?itok=TTKsJnTW)
Director of US Geological Survey Undermines How Scientists Study Climate Change
![Phos-check drop during a wildfire.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-12/1500-900-wildfire-plane.jpg?itok=PWUkCWpF)
Trump Administration Delayed a Key Step in Major Climate Report
![A burger and salad on a plate.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-11/1500-900-burger.jpg?itok=YFQA-2ws)
Food and Drug Administration Skirts Scientific Process to Keep Food Safe
![Russian flag.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-11/1500-900-russian-flag.jpg?itok=cNHtqDzr)
Homeland Security Officials Modified Intelligence Reports to Downplay Politically-Inconvenient Threats
![Santa Claus.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-11/1500-900-santa.jpg?itok=_iaBCUfW)
CDC Defunded by $300 Million for a Politically-Motivated Ad Campaign
![President Donald Trump visits the CDC.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-11/trump-cdc-thumbnail-wh-photo.jpg?itok=3be-K9Zp)
White House Installs Political Operatives at the CDC
![A docked cruise ship.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-10/1500-900-docked-cruise-ship.jpg?itok=xugeEylR)
CDC Order to Dock Cruise Ships was Substantially Weakened
![The inside of a bus.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-10/1500-900-inside-bus.jpg?itok=8HJumg2N)
White House Blocks CDC From Requiring Masks on Public Transit
![The silhouette of a factory emitting smoke.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-10/1500-900-pollution-sil.jpg?itok=xscys7A4)