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
![President Trump holding up a doctored hurricane map](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-02/1500-900-sharpiegate.jpg?itok=hc22gOVQ)
Trump Administration Disavows Own Meteorologists for Issuing Factual Statement on Hurricane Dorian
![A large NAVY warship sits on a body of water](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-02/1500-900-aos-navy.jpg?itok=BBAy5A6f)
The US Navy Quietly Shut Down its Task Force on Climate Change
![A shasta salamander](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2019-12/1500-900-shasta-sally.jpg?itok=vlyfT8TS)
DOI Scientists Ignored in Northern California Dam Project
![A person holds up a sign that reads "I want you to prevent gun violence"](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2019-12/1500-900-gun-violence-sign.jpg?itok=n2V8ExPs)
Staff at HHS were unable to talk about gun violence research after two mass shootings
![An illustration of a park ranger](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2019-12/1500-900-forest-ranger.jpg?itok=RVEeNrxD)
Staff at the National Park Service are restricted from providing evidence-based public comments
![Pigs on a farm](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2019-12/1500-900-pig.jpg?itok=tPjhcNgr)
The USDA Dismantled Health and Safety Protections at Pork Manufacturing Plants
![A pika](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2019-09/1200-pika.jpg?itok=2AfS97be)
The Department of the Interior Dismantled the Endangered Species Act
![Alaskan salmon](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2019-09/1200-ak-salmon.jpg?itok=5i_-GkgJ)
The EPA Rolls Back Protections for Alaska’s Waterways from Mining Activities
![Soil and roots](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2019-09/1200-soil.jpg?itok=_QO__7eW)
USDA Buries Sweeping Plan Prioritizing Climate Science
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/1200-cows-fence.jpg?itok=4-DNLcts)