1,900 Scientists Warn: Trump Policies Threaten U.S. Scientific Research and Public Health
March 31, 2025
Plans to reduce the workforce at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by up to 20% could severely compromise essential weather forecasting capabilities.
The National Institutes of Health has faced significant budget cuts, losing billions and affecting over 300,000 scientists who rely on its funding.
Approximately 1,900 prominent scientists in the U.S. have issued an open letter expressing concerns about the Trump administration's negative impact on scientific research.
These layoffs are expected to impact major agencies, including the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, threatening critical research and public health initiatives.
As part of an effort to reduce the federal workforce, the Department of Health and Human Services has begun laying off thousands of employees, which is part of a broader trend affecting multiple scientific agencies.
Elon Musk's initiatives under the administration have led to substantial cuts in essential services, further jeopardizing public safety and scientific integrity.
The administration has been accused of censorship, manipulating research funding and publication, particularly on sensitive issues such as climate change and vaccine safety.
The National Institutes of Health has halted new grant applications and is issuing layoff notices, raising concerns about the future of disease research.
Dr. Steven Woolf has warned that the administration's cuts to health research could have dire consequences for public health and life expectancy in the U.S.
Experts are calling for scientific leaders to take a stand against these actions, emphasizing the need to defend science and public health during this critical time.
Trump's directives have also targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which has drawn significant criticism from the scientific community.
The administration's list of banned words, including terms like 'gender' and 'bias', is viewed as a direct attack on academic freedom and expression.
Summary based on 19 sources
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Sources

The New York Times • Mar 31, 2025
Trump Administration Has Begun a War on Science, Researchers Say
The New York Times • Mar 31, 2025
Read the Letter
The Guardian • Mar 31, 2025
More than 1,900 scientists write letter in ‘SOS’ over Trump’s attacks on science