Silencing Science Tracker

HHS Publishes Report Pushing Discredited Theory about Gender-Affirming Care

Date: 11/09/2025
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Public Health
Agency(s):
Federal → HHS
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a report advancing the disproven theory that gender-affirming care for transgender youth does more harm than good. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised the report, calling gender-affirming care “malpractice” without evidence.
Update Status: No Updates

Nearly Half of CDC Vaccine Information Databases Not Updated Regularly in 2025

Date: 10/25/2025
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Public Health
Agency(s):
Federal → HHS
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
In 2025, nearly half (38 out of 82) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention databases that are typically updated monthly experienced unexplained pauses, and 34 had not been updated in at least 6 months. 87% of the affected databases reported vaccination information, while none of the databases that continued to be updated regularly were related to vaccines.
Update Status: No Updates

4,200 Federal Employees Fired during Government Shutdown

Date: 10/10/2025
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate, Other
Agency(s):
Federal → DOE
Federal → EPA
Federal → HHS
Federal → NOAA (Commerce Department)
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
During the government shutdown, the Trump administration issued reduction-in-force notices to approximately 4,200 federal employees, including 1,300 staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention across more than a dozen CDC divisions.
Update Status: Reversed (Partially or Fully), Litigation Update

EPA Refusing to Release Completed PFAS Toxicity Report

Date: 10/09/2025
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Other, Public Health
Agency(s):
Federal → EPA
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
EPA has not published a report on the toxicity of PFNA, a forever chemical, which was deemed “completed and ready to post” in mid-April.
Update Status: No Updates

Indian Health Services Shifts Vaccine Messaging, Flags Terms for Additional Review

Date: 10/2025
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Public Health
Agency(s):
Federal → HHS
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
Indian Health Services (IHS) officials identified several so-called “buzzwords,” such as “immunizations” and “vaccines,” that require additional approval from IHS public information officers before use in social media posts, pamphlets, and patient presentations.
Update Status: No Updates

CDC Journal Not Published During Shutdown

Date: 10/2025
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Public Health
Agency(s):
Federal → HHS
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report is not being published during the federal government shutdown, a change from past shutdowns when publication continued. The last issue was released on September 25.
Update Status: No Updates

Interior Halts Funding for Climate Adaptation Science Centers

Date: 09/30/2025
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate, Other
Agency(s):
Federal → DOI
Federal → USGS
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
The Department of the Interior failed to complete the paperwork required to fund the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Climate Adaptation Science Centers. As a result, the centers are expected to reduce operations and possibly close.
Update Status: No Updates

NOAA to Cancel Funding for Data Collection on Tsunami Risk

Date: 09/30/2025
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Agency(s):
Federal → NOAA (Commerce Department)
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is cancelling a contract with an organization that records and sends data to NOAA’s National Tsunami Center to warn Alaskan communities of tsunami risks. NOAA has cited a lack of funding as justification for the cancellation.
Update Status: No Updates

DOE Staff Given List of Banned Terms

Date: 09/26/2025
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Agency(s):
Federal → DOE
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
On September 26, 2025, staff at the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy were given a list of words to avoid in both internal and public communications, including “climate change,” “emissions,” “decarbonization,” and “sustainability/sustainable.”
Update Status: No Updates

HHS Ends Minority Biomedical Research Support Program

Date: 09/25/2025
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Public Health
Agency(s):
Federal → HHS
Presidential Administration: Trump Administration (Second)
Summary:
On August 25, 2025, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., announced the cancellation of the Minority Biomedical Research Support program, effective September 25, 2025.
Update Status: No Updates