Silencing Science Tracker

Anti-Vaccine Theorist Appointed to CDC Advisory Committee Reviewing Covid-19 Vaccines

Date: 03/2026
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Public Health
Agency(s):
Federal → HHS
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
A review of Covid-19 vaccine safety is being led by a known vaccine skeptic, who lacks relevant qualifications. His prior work on vaccine safety has been criticized by experts for failing to meet basic scientific standards.
Update Status: No Updates

Alabama Governor Signs Law Restricting Use of Scientific Research in Policy-Making

Date: 02/19/2026
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate, Public Health, Other
Agency(s):
State → AL
Presidential Administration: N/A
Summary:
On February 19, 2026, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill into law that restricts the types of scientific research that can be used to set environmental regulations. Critics argue that the restrictions create an “insurmountable burden of proof for agency rulemakings that is out of step with scientific practice.”
Update Status: No Updates

President Trump Calls Climate Change’s Threats to Public Health a “Scam”

Date: 02/13/2026
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate, Public Health
Agency(s):
Federal → White House
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
Following the Environmental Protection Agency’s repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding, President Trump stated that the science establishing that climate change negatively impacts public health is “a scam.”
Update Status: No Updates

DOE Lays Off 134 Employees at Renewable Energy Lab

Date: 02/10/2026
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate
Agency(s):
Federal → DOE
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
The Department of Energy laid off 134 employees, including scientists and operations staff, at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (formerly the National Renewable Energy Laboratory).
Update Status: No Updates

RFK Jr Touts Keto Diet as ‘Cure’ for Mental Illness

Date: 02/04/2026
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Public Health
Agency(s):
Federal → HHS
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
At a public event, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., made false and misleading claims about mental health and eating habits, suggesting that a ketogenic diet could “cure” schizophrenia.
Update Status: No Updates

Trump Posts False Claims about Climate Change

Date: 01/23/2026
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Agency(s):
Federal → White House
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
On January 23, 2026, President Trump posted false claims about climate change on social media, asking that “Environmental Insurrectionists please explain — WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???”
Update Status: No Updates

NIH Ends Funding for Research Using Human Fetal Tissue

Date: 01/22/2026
Explanation: Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Public Health
Agency(s):
Federal → HHS
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
On January 22, 2026, President Trump announced that the National Institutes of Health would no longer fund biomedical research that uses human fetal tissue.
Update Status: No Updates

Trump Admin Ends Financial Support for NASA Advisory Groups

Date: 01/16/2026
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Agency(s):
Federal → NASA
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
On January 16, 2026, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that it would end financial support for 8 independent planetary science advisory groups.
Update Status: No Updates

Intelligent Design Bill Introduced in Oklahoma State Senate

Date: 01/15/2026
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Other
Agency(s):
State → OK
Presidential Administration: N/A
Summary:
A bill has been introduced in the Oklahoma State Senate that, if enacted, would require public and charter school teachers who teach evolution to also "provide instruction to students on the concepts of creationism and/or intelligent design."
Update Status: Legislative Update

RFK Jr. Makes False Claims about Fluoride, Vaccines, and Infectious Diseases

Date: 01/06/2026
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Public Health
Agency(s):
Federal → HHS
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
In an interview on January 6, 2026, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., made several false or misleading claims about vaccines, fluoride, 5G cell towers, and infectious diseases.
Update Status: No Updates