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Abstract:
Jen Jones, Director for the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), discusses the anticipated threats to science and federal agencies under a potential second Trump administration, drawing parallels with the first term. She outlines likely strategies to sideline science, including attacking agency funding and research, rolling back regulations protecting public health and the environment (like clean air and water), replacing merit-based scientists with political appointees (referencing "Schedule F"), and employing tactics that create a "chilling effect" such as harassment, doxxing, and agency relocations. Jones identifies the EPA and HHS as key agencies likely to be targeted, suggesting the motivation is often to prioritize corporate profit over scientifically informed public protections. The discussion highlights the importance of scientific integrity policies, advocates for the passage of the Scientific Integrity Act to codify these protections into law, and expresses concern over potential politicized investigations by Congressional committees. Jones emphasizes the crucial role of public awareness, combating disinformation (referencing the UCS Disinformation Playbook), supporting science education, and citizen action—including contacting representatives and participating in public comment periods—to defend science and hold the administration accountable. She encourages scientists to persevere and utilize resources offered by organizations like UCS.
Potential Threats to Science in a Second Trump Administration and How to Respond
0:00:15 Speaker Introduction: Jen Jones from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) introduces the topic: the expected threats to the use of science in public policy under a potential second Trump presidency, based on experiences from the first.
0:01:01 Anticipated Methods of Attack: Jones predicts efforts will focus on (1) attacking scientists and their work, (2) undermining or destroying science-backed rules and regulations (e.g., for clean air, safe transport), and (3) installing political appointees to control the use of science within agencies.
0:02:11 Broad Threat to Agencies: While specific agencies like the EPA and HHS are highlighted as major concerns due to rhetoric and past actions (including vaccine skepticism mentioned regarding potential HHS leadership), Jones believes all aspects of federal science are potentially threatened.
0:02:51 EPA's Role and Vulnerability: The EPA's core function is protecting environmental health (air, water, chemical safety). Jones argues attacks on the EPA often aim to dismantle regulations to increase corporate profits (e.g., for the chemical industry) at the expense of public safety.
0:05:37 Attacks Beyond EPA/HHS: Threats extend beyond environmental and health agencies, citing attempts during the first Trump administration to alter Census Bureau data collection, which impacts resource allocation.
0:06:09 Public Forgetting & Specific Examples: Jones notes the public may forget specific past attacks (e.g., sidelining polar bear climate science, refusing perchlorate regulation), making it easier for similar actions to occur without immediate public notice.
0:07:01 Science Impacts Daily Life: Federal science ensures safety in many areas: climate change adaptation, safe drinking water (chemicals like lead), FDA drug approval, and FAA transportation safety. Undermining this science has direct, potentially rapid negative consequences.
0:10:18 The "Chilling Effect" on Scientists: This involves actions designed to intimidate scientists and stop them from doing or communicating their work. Methods include firing (via plans like Schedule F), replacing experts with political loyalists, harassment, threats, relocating entire agencies to force resignations, and public doxxing.
0:11:34 Schedule F Explained: A plan to reclassify potentially tens of thousands of career civil servant positions (including scientists) as political appointees, allowing them to be fired and replaced based on political loyalty rather than merit.
0:13:04 Undermining Scientific Integrity Policies: Existing agency policies protect scientists from political interference. A new administration could revoke the executive orders mandating these policies, removing protections and increasing the chilling effect. Doxxing federal scientists by name and position is cited as a tactic already used.
0:17:24 Public and Scientist Response Strategies: Jones calls for public awareness (recalling the March for Science), understanding the threats, contacting elected officials, using consumer power strategically, combating disinformation (promoting the UCS Disinformation Playbook), supporting science education, and joining advocacy groups like the UCS Science Network.
0:20:51 UCS Actions & Advocacy: UCS is actively working by sending letters to Congress demanding support for science and opposing anti-science nominees, tracking attacks on science, providing resources, training advocates for actions like writing public comments on proposed rules, and pushing for specific legislation.
0:25:28 Scientist Resilience and Support: Jones expects scientists to continue their vital work and speak out. UCS offers resources and support networks for scientists who come under attack or face pressure.
0:27:55 The Scientific Integrity Act: Current scientific integrity policies largely rely on executive orders, which can be easily reversed. This proposed Act would codify these protections into federal law, making them more permanent and resilient to political changes. Rep. Paul Tonko is noted as a key champion.
0:30:44 Threat from Congressional Oversight: Jones warns that the House Oversight Committee has signaled potential investigations into agency scientific integrity processes, raising concerns about politically motivated hearings designed to further intimidate scientists and politicize science.
0:33:03 UCS Plan for Accountability: UCS plans to hold a potential second Trump administration accountable by tracking attacks on science, analyzing their real-world impacts, advocating for the Scientific Integrity Act, and continuing work to protect democratic processes like elections.
0:36:32 Why Be Concerned: Jones expresses deep concern because fundamental protections for health, safety, and the environment provided by science are at risk, potentially leading to immediate harm and suffering for people and the planet.
0:38:23 Taking Action and Promoting Science: Jones focuses on promoting equity in science's benefits, fostering scientific curiosity and education, reminding people of the power and joy of scientific inquiry, and working through UCS to advocate for science-based policies. She calls curiosity "the cure."
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