The article by Charles F. Manski, Ray J. Weymann, and Ben Santer urges the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to denounce the anti-scientific policies of the Trump administration. It reflects on the election of November 2024, which they hoped would symbolize a transition to a younger, science-oriented leadership poised to address urgent global issues like climate change and pandemics. Instead, the authors express concern over a federal government that dismisses scientific evidence and undermines federally funded science by cutting funding and dismissing thousands of scientists.
The NAS, established by Congress, holds a responsibility to provide sound scientific advice to the government, yet the authors feel it has remained silent during this critical time. They criticize the NAS’s passive approach, emphasizing the need for it to publicly confront the administration’s anti-science practices, particularly regarding climate change and public health issues like COVID-19.
Past open letters from NAS members highlighted the dangers of sidelining scientific understanding in policymaking, a concern amplified by recent developments. The authors call for the NAS to adopt a strong institutional stance against the current administration’s policies that threaten the integrity of U.S. science. They warn that without effective advocacy, the U.S. risks losing its leadership in crucial scientific fields, leaving other nations to take the lead. The article concludes by stressing that a robust scientific enterprise is essential for informed decision-making on pressing global challenges.
