Attacks on Science

The Trump administration and 115th Congress have been actively dismantling science-based health and safety protections, sidelining scientific evidence, and undoing recent progress on scientific integrity.

Below is a running list of attacks on science—disappearing data, silenced scientists, and other assaults on scientific integrity and science-based policy. The list provides a representative sample of threats to the federal scientific enterprise.

Attacks on science

Agency Type of attack

US Forest Service Sidelines the Use of Environmental Studies for Infrastructure Projects

The US Forest Service issued a rule that weakens the requirement to study potential environmental harms from proposed infrastructure projects.

OSHA is Allowing Companies to Not Report COVID-19 Hospitalizations Among Workers

OSHA changed its COVID-19 reporting requirements such that severe COVID-19 cases at workplaces are less likely to get reported.

Director of US Geological Survey Undermines How Scientists Study Climate Change

The USGS' operational manual was edited to push climate models that are less likely to show the worst effects of climate change.

Trump Administration Delayed a Key Step in Major Climate Report

The Fifth National Climate Assessment, had a key step delayed for several months.

Food and Drug Administration Skirts Scientific Process to Keep Food Safe

The FDA failed to enforce a policy that protects food from potentially unsafe chemicals.

Homeland Security Officials Modified Intelligence Reports to Downplay Politically-Inconvenient Threats

DHS officials delayed or modified several intelligence reports on the threat of Russian political interference in the US.

CDC Defunded by $300 Million for a Politically-Motivated Ad Campaign

CDC officials were sidelined in a decision to remove $300 million from the agency’s budget.

White House Installs Political Operatives at the CDC

The White House installed two political operatives at the CDC to control what information the CDC releases on COVID-19.

CDC Order to Dock Cruise Ships was Substantially Weakened

The White House blocked a science-based order from the CDC extending a no-sail order for cruise ships until mid-February.

White House Blocks CDC From Requiring Masks on Public Transit

The CDC drafted an order requiring all passengers and employees to wear masks on public transportation, but the White House chose to block the order.

We've seen this movie before. And we know how to fight back. We're standing up for science. We're inviting scientists to securely share information on scientific integrity abuses. And we're encouraging our supporters to watchdog this administration and Congress, as we did during the George W. Bush administration and the Barack Obama administration.

Beyond this list, many other moves by the president and Congress degrade the environment for science and scientists in this country. For example, the president’s Muslim ban hurts science and scientists, including those working for the federal government and the president’s rescinding transgender protections is damaging to the ability of all young budding scientists to reach their full potential. These actions are also important to document, and we continue do so on the UCS blog.

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