Updates to this feature are currently paused as we assess the best way to monitor and expose the large number of attacks on science that we're seeing from the current administration.
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
Communication from Multiple Agencies Restricted after Trump Takes Office
In the first week of the Trump administration, media blackouts were issued across many federal agencies—and science-driven agencies that work on climate change were among the primary targets.
EPA Downplayed Risks of Fracking and Drinking Water Contamination
An EPA official downplayed the risks of fracking operations leading to the contamination of drinking water sources.
Political Officials Refused to Protect the Wolverine Under the Endangered Species Act
FWS leadership decided to ignore the scientists’ recommendations and not move forward listing the wolverine as a threatened species.
CDC Removes Information on Skin Cancer Due to Indoor Tanning Industry
Due to industry pressure, the CDC removed from its website information on the risk of melanoma cancer from indoor tanning.
White House Weakened Rule to Regulate Formaldehyde
The White House’s OMB altered the EPA's findings underlying a rule to regulate the use of formaldehyde.
EPA Approved Pesticide that Harmed Honeybees
The EPA approved the insecticide sulfoxaflor despite insufficient data documenting its environmental safety and ignoring the EPA’s own ecological assessment that showed that it is harmful to bee populations.
EPA Restricts its Science Advisors from Communicating with the Public
The EPA's Chief of Staff sent an official memo to the EPA’s SAB to place restrictions on their ability to communicate about their work.
White House Delayed Rule to Protect Workers from Harmful Silica Dust
For over two years, the White House’s OMB delayed the review of a rule meant to protect workers from dangerous silica dust exposure.
Scientists Critical of Gray Wolf Plan Were Purged from an Independent Review Panel
Officials at the FWS removed three of the nation’s top wolf experts from an independent science review panel.
USGS Cancels Study on Coal Mining
To keep in line with the Obama administration’s priorities, leaders at the USGS pulled funding for a research project that examined the public health effects of mountaintop removal coal mining.
Related resources
Activist Resource
Scientific Society Sign-On Letter
This open letter, signed by more than 40 prominent scientific societies and organizations, was delivered to Congress in March 2025.
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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.
Explainer
Applications of Climate, Energy, and Environmental Justice
Assessing the key different types of justice (distributive, procedural, and restorative) within the climate and energy movements can be challenging.