January 14, 2025
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50,000 scientists are asking Congress to protect research from Trump
Two open letters from scientists and science advocacy groups reflect growing concern about the future of federal science under President-elect Trump.
President-elect Donald Trump is greeted on stage by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a campaign event at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on August 23, 2024.
Tom Brenner for The Washington Post via Getty Images
KLIMAWIRE | More than 50,000 scientists and their supporters have signed an open letter asking Congress to protect federal research and scientific jobs ahead of the Trump administration.
The Union of Concerned Scientists, a non-profit science advocacy organization, pioneer and published the letter Monday morning The document expresses concerns that President-elect Donald Trump could eliminate or reorganize federal science agencies, cut staff and attack regulations to protect public health and the environment.
“The Trump administration’s current agenda promises to eliminate the protections Americans count on and take for granted: clean air and water; safe food and medicine; products that will not harm us; and protection against extreme weather and other adverse effects of climate change,” the letter said. “Without strong federal science, people will suffer, and historically marginalized communities will continue to bear the brunt of these harms.”
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The letter also called on members of Congress to “require any federal agency that disagrees on the record to oppose anti-science candidates to follow and/or implement a policy of scientific integrity within their agency.”
Also on Monday, 28 institutions presented a letter Urging members of the Senate to vote against political nominees who do not have the proper qualifications, demonstrate conflicts of interest, do not recognize scientific consensus on agency matters, or have a record of disregarding scientific integrity.
Signatories included public health and medical associations, environmental organizations and science advocacy groups, including the Union of Concerned Scientists.
“The decisions you make about nominees will determine whether agencies use the extensive scientific knowledge of government employees and consultants to protect public health and economic stability, or whether biases and misinformation block effective responses,” the letter said.
Trump “was re-elected by an overwhelming mandate from the American people to change the status quo in Washington,” Trump transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in an email to POLITICO’s E&E News. “For this reason, he has chosen excellent and respected outsiders to serve in his Administration, and he will follow them as they fight against all those who want to divert the MAGA Agenda.”
The letters reflect growing anxiety among scientists and science advocates the future of federal research under Trump Experts have expressed concern that the incoming administration could cut federal agencies, change or reduce their research priorities, censor scientists and modify or destroy federal data sets.
Trump has consistently dismissed the seriousness of climate change and has pledged to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement for a second time. He has also recently come under fire from a number of political appointees for their denials about mainstream science. public health and the environment.
Some of Trump’s picks for the new administration are key authors of Project 2025, a conservative policy initiative led by the Heritage Foundation. The document calls for dramatic reorganization of some federal science agencies, like NOAA and the EPA, and says that “the climate fanaticism of the Administration will require a government-wide release.” Some of the nominations have raised concerns that the policy plan could affect Trump’s priorities after he takes office.
“The first 100 days of the Trump administration will be absolutely critical to taking action that can save life-saving science,” says the UCS letter to Congress. “This is a critical time to show the administration that members of Congress from both parties are united in support of science that helps protect the communities they represent.”
Reprinted E&E News Courtesy of POLITICO, LLC. Copyright 2025. E&E News provides essential news for energy and environmental professionals.
