PUBLIC COMMENTS NEEDED: Protect scientific research from Trump and Vought's meddling

[CousinIT]

Tell the Trump Administration: Politics Don't Belong in Science:

The Trump administration has proposed a new rule that would allow individual political appointees—with no scientific background or expertise—to judge the merit of federal research proposals, override decisions by subject-matter experts, and interfere with federal funding that doesn't align with presidential priorities. It's a direct attack on scientific integrity across the federal government.

This proposed rule would govern the grant-making process for the entire federal government, including (but not limited to) approximately $200 billion spent annually on research and development, as well as discretionary funding that comes through agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This rule is an escalation of the Trump administration's relentless attacks on science and evidence-based policymaking in every policy domain. It's an attack on scientific integrity and scientific independence that will come at the public's expense. We cannot let it stand.

Submit a public comment today telling the Office of Management and Budget that politics don't belong in science.:
https://secure.ucs.org/a/2026-tell-trump-politics-dont-belong-in-science

You can also submit a comment directly HERE (and you can do so anonymously): https://www.regulations.gov/document/OMB-2026-0034-0001

Trump/Vought & OMB need to be SWAMPED with public comments against their proposed policy allowing political meddling & control of scientific research funding to force it to "conform" to a President's agenda. Their claim is that federal dollars were used for "DEI," drag shows, and studies on transgender mice (none of that is true).

Example comment:

I urge you to carefully consider the impact of this proposed regulation.

US federal research funding makes scientific and medical breakthroughs possible and improves the lives of all Americans. This rule will hinder innovation and stifle growth, pushing us ever further behind other countries in scientific advancements. It's another attack on scientific integrity and scientific independence that will come at the public's expense.

Research funding should be awarded based on merit (not political loyalty); that funding shouldn't be contingent on the whims of a President and his "priorities" at the expense of innovation and the public good; and that funding shouldn’t be withheld from individual researchers, organizations, and institutions because their work is associated with one of the administration’s "prohibited topics."

[CousinIT]

1. PBS segment on this:

How Trump officials might gain control of research grants

https://www.pbs.org/video/trump-agenda-science-1780603780/

[LisaL]

2. Horrible.

NT

[CousinIT]

3. DONKEY KICK

[CousinIT]

4. If you don't want scientific research polticized, SUBMIT A PUBLIC COMMENT.

See OP.

THIS IS A SHAMELESS KICK for SCIENCE.