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.
Due to the large number of attacks on science we’re seeing from the second Trump administration, we are currently providing regular summaries of documented attacks.
- A Backward March: Another Month of Attacks on Federal Science (April 2, 2025)
- A Hundred Attacks and Counting: What Happened to Federal Science in February (March 12, 2025)
- How Science Has Fared in the First Two Weeks of the New Trump Administration (January 30, 2025)
Below is the list of documented attacks on science that occurred under the four previous administrations. They include disappearing data, silenced scientists, suppressed studies, and other assaults on science-based policy. More information on these attacks can be found in our peer-reviewed study and in our data repository.
Attacks on science
The Forest Service Allows Mining Company to Determine its own Environmental Impact
The Trump administration is allowing a mining company to write its own environmental assessment.
For Coronavirus, Federal Scientists are Restricted in What They Can Say to the Public
Federal health officials and scientists are now required to coordinate all statements and public appearances on novel coronavirus with the Office of the Vice President.
NOAA Political Officials Sidelined the Science on How to Protect an Endangered Whale Species
Officials at NOAA removed recommendations that were based on the best available science to protect the whale species.
HHS Officials Sent Workers to Coronavirus Hot Zone Without Protective Gear
Officials at HHS sent workers to Wuhan, China in late January and early February, in the middle of the coronavirus epidemic, without proper training or personal protective equipment.
Trump Administration Stops Collection of Data that Could Reveal Pay Discrimination Practices
The EEOC is nixing the collection of worker’s pay data, sorted by race, sex, ethnicity, and job category, from businesses with over 100 employees.
EPA Scientists Were Suppressed from Commenting on Stream and Wetland Protections
The EPA's political appointees suppressed the ability of EPA staff to provide scientific input during the public comment process on a proposed rule.
The EPA Failed to Analyze the Effects on Children’s Health from Polluting Trucks
The EPA failed to carry out analyses that would have assessed whether the health of children would be compromised by a rule that would have allowed the sale of trucks that have highly polluting engines in them.
DOI Officials Suppressed Scientist’s Concerns on Oil Rig Worker Safety
A political appointee at the DOI suppressed objections of engineers on a rule that rolled back protections for the safety of offshore oil rig workers.
The Trump Administration Halts Data Collection on Student Loan Forgiveness Program
The DOE blocked the CFPB from obtaining data on a student loan forgiveness program.
EPA Restricts Scientific Advisory Committee from Weighing-in on Potentially Dangerous Chemicals
the EPA has forbidden SACC from commenting on some of the EPA’s decisionmaking processes which have a scientific basis, such as certain routes of exposure, worker safety protections, cancer risks, and the quality of industry data.
Related resources
Report
Advancing the Scientific Integrity Act
Scientific Integrity Act Policy Brief
Activist Resource
Scientific Societies Call on Congress to Save Science
This open letter, signed by more than 40 prominent scientific societies and organizations, was delivered to Congress in March 2025.
Activist Resource
Cumulative Impacts: Recommendations for EPA
To improve environmental health, UCS prepared eight fact sheets summarizing the recommendations of the NEJAC Cumulative Impacts Workgroup to the EPA.
Activist Resource
Resources for Federal Scientists
Are you a federal scientist, contractor, or federal worker? Here are resources to have on hand during the Trump administration.