The Trump administration has been back in the White House for over nine months, and their campaign against federal government science is still ongoing. With 521 documented attacks on science so far, it’s clear that the administration is actively undermining, sidelining, or ignoring the best available science in federal government decisions and policies.
The recent government shutdown, the longest in American history, further exacerbated the challenges faced by federal science agencies. Not only did federal workers, including scientists, go without pay during this time, but critical government programs were also put on hold, endangering advancements in research and the health and safety of those who rely on scientific findings.
Despite the setbacks, it is crucial for individuals to support efforts to defend independent science. With the Trump administration’s increasing authoritarian threats to federal scientific systems and democracy, it is more important than ever to unite and push back against these attacks.
During the shutdown, federal science faced additional challenges as the administration halted new grants and contracts, paused grant review panels, and stopped data collection and analysis at agencies like the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Health and Human Services. This not only jeopardized ongoing research but also hindered the funding of new studies that could have significant impacts on public health and safety.
Moreover, the administration took advantage of the shutdown to target federal scientists, with layoffs at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and threats of further layoffs looming over workers. The politicization of federal funding, with threats to cut funding deemed “not relevant” to the administration’s agenda, added to the chaos during the shutdown.
While Congress has passed a new budget resolution to reopen the government, the fight to protect federal science is far from over. It is crucial to support initiatives like The Scientific Integrity (SI) Act, which aims to prevent political targeting of scientific programs and ensure scientific integrity across all federal agencies. Additionally, advocating for programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and providing resources for federal scientists can help defend science against political attacks.
In these challenging times, standing together to defend federal science is more important than ever. By supporting legislation, advocating for critical programs, and providing resources for federal scientists, we can work towards safeguarding independent science and protecting the integrity of scientific research in the federal government.
