1. United States
2. Minn.
3. Letter

The actions of the Trump administration to dismantle critical scientific institutions and expertise within the federal government are deeply concerning and pose grave risks to public health, environmental protection, and evidence-based policymaking. Reports indicate the NIH, CDC, FDA and other agencies have been systematically sidelined, with top officials being sidelined or pushed out and scientific advisory committees being dissolved. This threatens to undermine decades of progress and public trust in these vital institutions. We cannot allow political interference to erode the United States' global leadership in biomedical research and public health preparedness. These unilateral actions jeopardize the nation's ability to respond effectively to pressing challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and chronic disease prevention. Defending the scientific integrity of federal agencies must be a top priority to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all Americans. Swift action is needed to restore scientific integrity, ethics, and evidence-based decision-making across the federal government.