The article discusses the significant disruption in US science and public health during Donald Trump’s second presidency, characterizing it as a “perfect storm” for science. Many seasoned scientists have lost their jobs or faced bewildering changes, driven by Trump’s controversial and often ill-informed views. Experts warn of a severe and lasting loss of scientific expertise across public health, climate science, and environmental protection, comparing Trump’s administration to authoritarian regimes. They cite the phenomenon of “Lysenkoism” as a cautionary tale of the dangers of political interference in science.
Key incidents include the dismissal of CDC director Susan Monarez over vaccine policy disputes and a broader trend involving the firing of thousands of federal scientists and cuts to research funding. The Union of Concerned Scientists documented numerous attacks on scientific integrity, signaling a troubling pattern of sidelining credible science while promoting “junk science.”
The article details drastic staffing cuts in the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), jeopardizing crucial health and climate research. Trump’s administration also seeks to roll back significant environmental protections and limit the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s oversight capabilities, which experts warn could result in increased risks. The overall impact suggests a long-term detriment to US scientific integrity that may take multiple administrations to rectify.
