The Trump administration has removed restrictions against political interference from the scientific integrity policy at the Commerce Department. This department oversees the Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis, both located in Suitland, Maryland. NPR reports this move followed an unpublicized policy change on August 19, soon after the Census Bureau released a controversial report on non-U.S. citizen voting. This report came from a team linked to a think tank associated with Trump’s administration.
This revised policy affects all agencies under the Commerce Department, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. There are increasing worries about potential political interference as the Census Bureau prepares for the national headcount in 2030. This count influences political representation and federal funding distribution.
Changes in Scientific Integrity Guidelines
The Commerce Department had updated its integrity guidelines in January 2025, just before Trump’s second inauguration. Previously, the policy prohibited interference in data collection and analysis, aiming to shield data from political influence. The department emphasized that scientific findings should remain free from suppression or undue influence. However, the revised policy now lacks these protective guidelines, as found by an NPR analysis.
The revision removes the assertion that protection from inappropriate influence is a core aspect of scientific integrity. The department and the Census Bureau have not responded to NPR’s requests for comments.
Implications of Policy Revision
Experts warn that the updated policy could weaponize the Census Bureau. Nancy Potok, a former bureau deputy director, describes the deletion as a major removal of checks against political interference. She highlights a 2018 legislation, known as the “Trust Regulation,” which mandates statistical agencies to maintain objectivity and impartiality.
According to former Census Bureau Director Robert Santos, the timing of this policy change aligns suspiciously with a partisan document about voting, recently published by the bureau. He views this as a sign of inappropriate influence lacking in transparency.
Recent Decisions and Staffing Issues
Recently, the Trump administration’s policies have contributed to concerns at the bureau. A ban on a longstanding data privacy technique has postponed the release of American Community Survey statistics, affecting data availability for small and rural areas. Significant proposed changes for the 2030 census are also anticipated.
Staffing challenges exacerbate the situation. There has been an exodus of skilled personnel due to workforce reductions under Trump. The revised integrity policy also modifies violation investigation procedures, giving less importance to legal scrutiny. Beth Jarosz of the Association of Public Data Users remarks that this change allows more room for undue influence on decisions and conclusions by the staff.
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