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
Election Panel Delays, Edits Reports on Voter Fraud
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission under President GW Bush, a federal panel charged with conducting elections research, misrepresented the findings of bipartisan experts on the highly politicized topic of voter fraud.
EPA Library Closings Limit Researchers’ Access to Information
EPA moved swiftly to implement a plan to close large parts of its network of 27 libraries, potentially putting decades worth of valuable information beyond the reach of government scientists and independent researchers.
Mifepristone and Misoprostol: WHO Endorses Safer Abortions Despite U.S. Interference
In March 2005, a World Health Organization (WHO) expert committee unanimously recommended adding two abortion pills to its Essential Medicines list. U.S. government tried to block the listing of the abortion pills.
What Toxic Chemicals Are Released In Your Neighborhood?
The EPA cut back reporting requirements of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) despite past success.
Justice Department Interrogation Memos Abuse Sleep Deprivation Research
In 2005, the Department of Justice misused sleep deprivation research in memorandums sent to the CIA to help justify the CIA’s use of sleep deprivation, along with additional CIA interrogation techniques used on “high value” detainees.
Can’t Say Climate Change at Carbon Conference
In September 2005, NOAA scientist Dr. Pieter Tans was asked to cancel a conference session on energy use and the carbon cycle due to policy implications and was told that the words “climate change” could not appear in the titles of any presentations.
EPA Withheld Negative Report on Fuel Efficiency
In July 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delayed the release of a report showing that the average fuel efficiency of American cars and trucks had declined since the late 1980s.
Hurricane Science Becomes a Matter of Policy as NOAA Takes Sides
The extent to which greenhouse gas emissions from human activity contribute to an increase in hurricane number and intensity in recent years, is a matter of active scientific debate.
Justice Department Demoted Official Who Fought Suppression of Racial Profiling Study
In August 2005, the Department of Justice demoted an official who fought efforts to suppress an agency study which found evidence of racial profiling by police officers.
No Space for Aviation Safety at NASA
Early in 2005, NASA quietly closed down an $11.3 million, state-of-the-art program designed to collect critical data on air travel safety.
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.
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.
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.