Science Positions Increasingly Abandoned Under Trump

In government agencies, 20 percent of high-level science appointments are vacant, The Washington Post reports.

Written byLisa Winter

| 2 min read

Listen with Speechify

0:00

2:00

ABOVE: Environmental Protection Agency
© ISTOCK.COM, BPPERRY

Scientists have been leaving government posts since President Donald Trump took office in 2017, and those positions, by and large, have not been replaced. This shortage has led to insufficient regulation enforcement, limited data distribution, and a paucity of researchers, according to an analysis of public employee records by The Washington Post.

In total, 1,600 government scientists have left their positions since the beginning of Trump’s presidency. Most of those employees are experts in chemistry, geology, hydrology, soil conservation, and social science.

Staffing levels at agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which are supported by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, has remained relatively untouched during Trump’s tenure. In contrast, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which are steeped in the politically charged territory of climate change, have not been as fortunate.

...

Interested in reading more?

The Scientist ARCHIVES

Become a Member of

Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!

Join for free today

Already a member? Login Here

Meet the Author

Lisa Winter
Lisa joined The Scientist in 2017. As social media editor, some of her duties include creating content, managing interactions, and developing strategies for the brand’s social media presence. She also contributes to the News & Opinion section of the website. Lisa holds a degree in Biological Sciences with a concentration in genetics, cell, and developmental biology from Arizona State University and has worked in science communication since 2012.
View Full Profile