Budget cuts, censorship and layoffs – the Trump administration's steps against climate research, investigation.
In 2025, after Donald Trump returned to the White House, a series of harsh measures were taken against the scientific community dealing with climate and climate change. These measures included budget and grant cuts, censorship of terms and research, widespread layoffs of scientists, and new restrictions on the activities of research institutions. Below is an organized overview of the main measures, the justifications presented for them, and the response of the scientific community and the public.
Budget cuts and cancellation of climate research grants
- Stop funding for research that mentions "climate": The Trump administration has begun to cancel grants and federal support for research – both in the US and internationally – In which the word "climate" or issues related to the climate crisis appeared Researchers reported that previously approved grants were frozen or canceled unless they changed their wording. For example, an environmental scientist in the western United States was forced to change the title of his research to remove the word “climate” to avoid having a grant from the Department of Transportation revoked—he was explicitly told that “the current administration’s priorities do not include climate change and ‘progressive’ issues.” This move has raised eyebrows and concerns among researchers, as it suggests political interference in which areas of research are eligible for funding.
- Cancellation of multi-agency climate programs: In April 2025, it was announced that the administration had canceled key funding contracts for the federal climate change research program. (US Global Change Research Program) – The body responsible for National Climate Report which assesses climate change risks every four years. NASA canceled a contract with a coordinating company, whichEffectively paralyzes the preparation of the next climate report Although it is required by law to submit it by 2027, government sources admitted that this is In a "fatal blow" to the government's scientific efforts in the field of climateA NASA spokesperson tried to claim that this was a process streamlining, but in practice it meant stopping work on this critical report.
- Cutting and "ideological examination" of science grants: The government ordered the Broad freeze on federal research grants in many fields of science, and carried out Filtering research proposals by keywords "Unwanted." The list of banned terms included words like "women," "diversity," "bias," "equality," and more. Some also allude to areas of climate and environmental justice.Teams at the National Science Foundation (NSF) have been tasked with screening thousands of projects to ensure they do not violate new Trump presidential orders, including a ban on content the administration deems “progressive.” The word "climate" itself was not publicly mentioned in this document, but reports have suggested that the climate sector is also in the spotlight. As a result, Many research grants have been frozen - Even after a court ordered the freeze lifted – which has sown chaos in the scientific community. Researchers have warned that the pressure to avoid certain terms will cause scientific bias and undermine the integrity of research.
- Threat to funding private universities: Beyond the impact on federal agencies, there were also Threats to leading research universitiesMembers of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine said in an open letter that the administration has threatened private academic institutions and used “financial threats” to To impose a certain line on themOne report even noted that the White House froze billions of dollars in grants to Harvard University in response. For "Campus Activism", although it is not clear whether this was in a direct climate context. The general message was clear: any institution or project that deals with issues that contradict Trump's agenda (and climate change in particular) could lose funding. The scientists' letter described a situation of Cancellation of grants and closure of laboratories In universities, what is already Leading to the dismissal of researchers and the halting of graduate student admissions – thus threatening the future generation of scientists.
Censorship and concealment of climate information
- Deleting "climate change" references: Following on from 2017, the Trump administration in 2025 stepped up efforts to erase references to the climate crisis from official documents and communications. In training courses at the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center at the University of Hawaii, It was revealed that the word "climate change" was removed from school materials by government orderA leaked internal email instructed instructors "Exercise caution when addressing these issues during training" Also in the prestigious scientist exchange program Fulbright, the government Change scholarship descriptions and deleted phrases such as “climate change,” “equal society,” and “inclusive society” – and even canceled a scholarship that had already been promised to the University of Helsinki due to these changes. The censorship also reached government websites, where climate pages were already removed in 2017, but has now been extended to other bodies. The aim of these measures, according to critics, is Push the climate issue out of government discourse and prevent the dissemination of information to the public.
- NOAA monthly climate briefings suspended: The National Weather Service (NOAA) used to hold monthly briefings for journalists on the state of the climate in the United States and around the world. In March 2025, NOAA announced Indefinite suspension of these briefingsThe official explanation: a staff shortage due to layoffs and cuts, which prevents the National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI) from continuing to hold the media briefings. However, sources within NOAA said that not only is the workload difficult, but also Scientists' fear of attending briefings – for fear that the focus on rising temperatures and “man-made global warming” would anger the administration. While the data itself is still released to the public in written reports, the cancellation of the talks greatly reduces media exposure to climate trends. Experts warned that this move would harm public awareness of the dangers of warming, but NOAA responded that “Will continue to publish written monthly reports"Instead of the audio briefing. In effect, this is silencing NOAA climate scientists in the public arena.
- "Re-education" and restrictions on scientific communication: Many scientists at federal agencies have begun to fear for their job security if they publicly express findings or opinions on climate change. There are reports of researchers removing their names from scientific publications or changing “sensitive” wording inGrant applications to avoid being targetedWithin NOAA, in addition to requiring the deletion of terms, Restrictions on communication with foreign entities: Starting February 2025, all NOAA scientists are required Obtain prior approval from a political supervisor for any conversation or correspondence with colleagues from abroad, and document in an internal table any of their "international involvement"Although no one has explicitly banned climate research, senior NOAA researchers warn that it is "Introduction to Climate Silence" – and that the atmosphere in the organization is one of “anxiety and fear” about upcoming moves. In Europe, scientific partners expressed “astonishment and sadness” at the instructions, fearing that harming international cooperation would undermine the world’s ability to deal with the climate crisis.
Layoffs of scientists and restructuring of research institutions
- Wave of layoffs in science agencies: As part of its "red tape reduction" policy, the Trump administration Peter Hamon from the scientific agency employees. At the end of February 2025, NOAA carried out Bezeq lays off more than 800 employees – including weather forecasters and climate scientists – throughout its branchesThe move was carried out at the behest of the White House and managed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headed by Elon Musk. The layoffs focused on probationary employees, who have weaker protections, making the mass layoffs easier. A similar move occurred at the National Science Foundation (NSF), which laid off 168 employees (about 10% of its workforce) in a single day in February – No severance pay - As part of a presidential order to reduce manpower "for the sake of efficiency"The administration also planned a dramatic move at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Dismantling the EPA's Office of Research and Development and terminating the employment of over 1,100 scientists thereOverall, the members of the Academy of Sciences noted in their letter that the administration is leading A wave of layoffs and resignations In the government scientific community – which raised concerns about a mass "brain drain" and undermining the foundations of scientific public service.
- Radical reform of NOAA and climate services: In parallel with the cuts, the White House has been formulating a plan to fundamentally overhaul NOAA in a way that would greatly reduce its climate-related roles. A leaked April 2025 Office of the Budget (OMB) memo revealed the intent "Dismantle NOAA": Abolish the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – The main arm for climate and weather research – Thus effectively halting the agency's climate research work.The plan also proposes to divert NOAA resources to promote fossil fuel production, and to transfer authority in the areas of marine environmental protection to other agencies, in the name of "refocusing" NOAA. The proposed budget for NOAA for the next fiscal year would be cut by about 25% (from $6.1 billion to about $4.5 billion), while Complete elimination of climate, ocean, and meteorology programs operating in collaboration with universities. For example, the memo emphasizes that “all funding for climate, weather, and oceans laboratories and programs at universities should be reset” – including closing the Sea Grant program that funds marine research at 34 academic institutions across the US. This change represents A sharp departure from NOAA's historic mission As the custodian of the nation's climate information, and its transformation into a "lean NOAA" that disavows the climate field.
- The government's justification for the measures: Officially, the layoffs and cutbacks were presented as part of "efficiency" and "waste reduction." The presidential order in question claims that there is Bloated and inefficient bureaucracy It should be cut for the benefit of the taxpayer.The OMB memorandum emphasized Restoring responsibility to countries and reducing federal roles, As well as "removing the 'Wok' ideology" from the governmentRussell Watt, the architect of Project 2025 and the head of the budget, has explicitly written that NOAA's climate work should be dismantled for being a "major source of climate alarmism"—he said, "Most climate change research should be scrapped" in parallel, Trump and his associates have claimed that climate science findings are used to justify burdensome regulations on industries, and that institutions must be changed to remove “obstacles” to energy production. For example, it has been noted that federal climate reports (like the NCA) “back up” environmental regulations – Therefore, the government aimed to cancel or reorganize them in a more industry-friendly spirit..
- Immediate and planned consequences: The immediate impact of the measures was to disrupt research and halt projects. Researchers at federal institutions were left with uncertainty about funding and the continuation of their work. Sources within NOAA reported that they were required Make a list of all climate-related programs that the agency funds or operates, hinting at the intention to target the cuts precisely at those programsIn addition, an order was imposed onGovernment recruitment freeze Which left scientific positions unfilled All of this, along with a heavy bureaucratic burden, Threatening to disrupt the meteorological forecasting service in the US and in the ability to share climate data with the world. It is important to note that NOAA has managed to maintain the National Weather Service (NWS) budget without significant cuts, but Experts warn that if the plan to dismantle the Research Administration is implemented, Even weather forecasts will be affected., Not to mention long-term climate studies.
The scientific and public community's response
The government's measures have sparked Wave of protest and counter-reaction From scientists, expert organizations, and even political figures and the technology industry. Here are the main responses:
- SOS letter from senior scientists: On March 31, 2025 An open letter signed by more than 1,900 members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has been published., who warned against "Real danger right now."Due to the government's attacks on science. In the letter - Neighborhood "A distress signal (SOS) from the scientific community" – It is said that "The scientific fabric of the nation is being destroyed"The scientists described "An unprecedented attack" which is expressed inCensorship, threat of funding denial, and the extinction of entire fields of research Like climate. They warned against "Elimination of scientific independence" By exploiting presidential orders and budgets to control which studies are published and which data are hidden from the public. The academy members called on Americans to understand thatThe national scientific enterprise is under attack. which could harm health, security and prosperity in the near future.
- Warnings from scientific organizations: Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and other bodies condemned the movesA UCS climate policy researcher warned that the NOAA layoffs were a "nonsensical move that"Undermining public safety just as extreme climate events worsen". He noted that NOAA data is used daily by farmers, forecasters, emergency authorities and citizens, and"Censoring science will not change the facts."- will only cause damage and death that could have been prevented"
- Statements from scientists and politicians: Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, wrote that the cuts are "Amazingly short-sighted"and constitute "injury "Self-reliance on public safety and economic resilience in the face of climate and weather disasters"Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) condemned the NOAA dismissal as "...Unimaginable" and emphasized that "They have no factual justification." – They will only endanger human life and property in the face of natural disasters. Congressman Jared Duffman also warned about the firing of "hundreds of scientists and experts" as a significant risk to the nation.
- Former senior civil servants: Dr. Rick Spinrad, former NOAA administrator (during the Biden era), said the memorandum to abolish the research unit is "First step in dismantling the agency". "Each of these moves is destructive on its own, but together they portend a much more devastating outcome." – Spinrad warned, calling on Congress to step in and restore vital programs. Andrew Rosenberg, former deputy administrator of NOAA, defined the program "Destructive, stupid and offensive" – and argued that severing the connection between science and natural resource management (such as transferring fisheries and wildlife authority to another agency) would cause dangerous gaps in scientific knowledge and damage delicate ecosystems.
- Public protests and general mobilization: The administration's actions also raised concerns among the general public. In mid-March 2025, demonstrations were held in Washington, D.C. and across the United States demanding the protection of science and research. Thousands marched with signs such as "In Science We Trust" and "Save science – save the future". Environmental and climate organizations used those events to emphasize that war on scientists will not change the The reality of the climate crisis, but will only harm the ability to deal with it. On social media, the scientists' SOS letter received widespread support, with many calling for the government's steps to be seen as "Wake-up call" For civil and political action.
In summary, 2025 was marked by a frontal confrontation between the Trump administration and climate scientists. The administration has taken extraordinary measures to curtail or silence research and dissemination of information on climate change – from canceling grants and deleting the term “climate,” to laying off scientists and downsizing entire institutions, to structural changes that threaten To dismantle the federal scientific infrastructure The official reasons spoke of "efficiency", "savings" and "fighting progressivism", but many see these moves as ideologically motivated: denial of the climate crisis andRemoving scientific "obstacles" from the path of pro-fossil fuel industry policiesThe scientific community, along with parts of the public and former decision-makers, responded with stark warnings about the harm to public safety and health, the economy, and the United States' status as a leader in innovation. The struggle between the administration and scientists thus came to the surface, emphasizing the importance of Maintaining scientific independence and the risk inherent in politicizing science and climate issues.
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