Will Democracy Survive

Trump's War on Science

Anni sat at her favorite coffee shop, sipping an iced coffee absentmindedly. She was deep in thought, reflecting on the various scientific challenges the country had faced in recent years. Just then, Father Dunkin entered, and she waved him over.

"Father Dunkin, it's so good to see you!" Anni exclaimed.

"Anni, it's always a pleasure. How are you holding up with everything going on?" Father Dunkin asked as he took a seat.

"Honestly, Father, I'm worried. I've been thinking a lot about how Trump's administration handled science, especially climate change. It's hard not to be anxious about the potential future if he gets re-elected," Anni replied.

Father Dunkin nodded, a serious look on his face. "Yes, Trump promised transparency and accountability in science during his campaign, but his actions as president were quite the opposite."

Anni leaned forward. "Exactly. He consistently undermined federal scientific research, particularly on climate change. The administration restricted access to scientific information and cast doubt on its veracity, which reduced public understanding and limited opposition to their plans."

Father Dunkin sighed. "That created a culture of fear among federal scientists. Many voluntarily suppressed or distorted information to avoid conflict with Trump's agenda. Those who spoke out were often removed from their positions or reassigned to irrelevant roles."

"Like Joel Clement," Anni interjected. "He was a forest ecologist working on policies to help Alaskan communities threatened by climate change. After Trump took office, Clement was reassigned to an office collecting royalty checks from oil and gas companies. It was a clear move to gut efforts to protect those communities."

"Yes, and Clement became a whistleblower," Father Dunkin continued. "He wasn't the only one. Many scientists resigned or blew the whistle over political interference and censorship. They were trying to protect the integrity of their work and the safety of the American people."

Anni nodded. "The U.S. Geological Survey lost over 150 staff scientists, and the EPA saw a 6% decline in its scientific workforce during Trump's term. Where the administration couldn't block research, they often misrepresented or dismissed findings that didn't support their agenda. Remember the response to the Fourth National Climate Assessment?"

Father Dunkin recalled, "Yes, officials claimed it wasn't data-driven and only modeled extreme scenarios. Trump simply declared, 'I don't believe it.'"

Anni shook her head. "It was all so disheartening. Scientists were targeted, their research censored or manipulated. The Climate Science Legal Defense Fund saw a surge in requests for help from scientists during that time."

"Lauren Kurtz from the Defense Fund mentioned that they assisted about 300 scientists during the Trump administration," Father Dunkin said. "It was very hard to be a scientist, especially a climate scientist, during those years."

Anni took a sip of her drink. "And now, there's Project 2025, a roadmap for transforming the federal government if Trump wins again. It proposes eliminating the EPA office that reduces pollution in minority communities, cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions monitoring, and gutting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration."

Father Dunkin's eyes widened. "That's alarming. It could mean more severe interference and censorship in a second Trump term. The potential impact on public health, environmental quality, and even weather forecasts is huge."

Anni added, "Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025 publicly, but he agrees with many of its proposals. He's already reiterated plans to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement and criticized environmental agencies."

Father Dunkin sighed deeply. "The proposal also makes it easier to replace civil servants. People in critical positions, like those working on climate impacts, could be fired en masse. There's a lot of anxiety about a second Trump term."

"Scientists are trying to prepare," Anni said. "The EPA's new employment contract now requires scientists be allowed to discuss their work with the media and at conferences. The White House is also working to strengthen scientific integrity policies, but these could be undone if Trump is re-elected."

Father Dunkin nodded. "Folks like Dan Costa found ways to keep their work moving forward despite the interference. He worked on reducing health impacts of wildfire smoke by avoiding politically charged topics and focusing on the public's need for information."

"Young scientists are being encouraged not to shy away from joining the federal government," Anni said. "Costa and Clement both emphasize the importance of speaking truth to power and being prepared for the challenges. It's an all-hands-on-deck time."

Father Dunkin placed a reassuring hand on Anni's arm. "We must support these scientists and advocate for policies that protect their work and integrity. It's crucial for the future of our country and the planet."

Anni smiled. "You're right, Father Dunkin. We have to stay informed and engaged, and encourage others to do the same. Our voices matter."

As they continued their conversation, Anni felt a renewed sense of purpose. The war on science was far from over, but with dedication and perseverance, she believed they could make a difference.

https://www.npr.org/2024/07/08/nx-s1-4916564/trump-science-censorship-fears

https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/donald-trumps-war-on-science

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877117321002155