The U.S. is in the midst of a widespread, unmitigated disaster. Like a hurricane that destroys all in its path, Musk and DOGE are decimating the people, places, policies, and programs that have made the U.S. a scientific superpower. The threat is not just to the groundbreaking science that informs U.S. public policy. The threat is facing anyone wanting a clean ocean for their kids to play in, effective and inspiring education, well-paying job opportunities, or the best chance to combat cancer.
Our tax-dollar funded scientific infrastructure is being obliterated by attacks from the Trump administration. The infrastructure I’m talking about includes—but is not limited to—seasoned and budding scientists, laboratories, equipment, ongoing studies, long-term datasets, modeling tools, advisory and review committees, publications, websites, universities and colleges, and myriad other educational and outreach programs. This disaster heralds destruction of seismic proportions that everyone in the U.S. will be dealing with for generations. The longer these attacks continue, the longer, harder, and more costly will be our nation’s recovery.
My research on how communities recover from large-scale disasters such as category five hurricanes, pandemics, and oil spills forewarns us that recovery takes a long time, a lot of resources, and is never simple. Just as hurricanes carve scars into landscapes and lives, Hurricane Musk and the current administration are graving a deep wound on the U.S. scientific infrastructure and all who benefit from it. This crisis challenges scientists’ fundamental ability to function in the short term, but also our collective ability to solve complicated problems and remain a global innovation leader in the long-term.
The eye of the storm: understanding the crisis
In the 67 days since taking office, the Trump administration has created a perfect storm for science. Many thousands of federal scientists have been targeted for firing; grants have been cancelled; essential databases have been eliminated; science advisory committees have been disbanded; efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion have been attacked; and reports and websites have been altered or dismantled. The ripple effects extend to young scientists grappling with reduced job security, and businesses facing uncertainty about their role in the supply chains created by institutes of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit startups.
Imagine the U.S. scientific infrastructure as a great, intricate bridge stretching toward new horizons. Over decades, this bridge has carried society across chasms of nescience and naïveté into the realms of discovery. U.S. science has integrated understandings to meet the challenges of floods and droughts, pandemics, pollution, and warfare. But the current administration is blowing up the bridge in random pieces. For many in the scientific community, it feels as if the ground beneath our feet has been swept away.
Hurricane Musk and the current administration are destroying the basic infrastructure needed for innovation and evidence-based decision making, and they are also undermining public trust in science itself. Their classic authoritarian tactics are aimed at stifling free speech and critical thinking. The real-world impacts of these tactics are not abstract notions. Boston University’s School of Public Health projects tens of thousands of deaths because of USAID funding cuts. The cuts to NOAA put public safety and property at risk by suspending some weather balloon launches and media updates.
To many of us, it is senseless and wasteful to destroy something that has taken many generations and precious taxpayer dollars to build. Disinformation and deregulation are endangering American lives and livelihoods, when we could instead rely on robust data and deep expertise to guide our country’s path.
Recovering from the disaster: prioritizing collaboration, integrity, equity, and investment
Hurricane Musk is wreaking havoc across science agencies, policies, regulations, data, advisory processes, and public information. But scientific societies, associations, and organizations are fighting back. Together with other essential sectors, recovery of U.S. science must not only repair what was lost but also reimagine and strengthen our shared scientific enterprise against future assault.
Here are four priorities that need to guide our efforts toward strengthening scientific progress and accelerating recovery.
- Embracing collaboration: At the heart of disaster recovery lies a cultural shift, one that embraces collaboration and integration across disciplines, sectors, and borders. The challenges we face—whether combating disease, addressing climate change, or advancing energy security—are inherently complex and demand systems thinking.
- Protecting scientific integrity: Safeguarding the independence of federal science agencies is paramount. Establishing laws and policies that insulate scientific decision-making from political interference will rebuild public trust. Additionally, ensuring robust support for independent scientific advisory committees will bolster accountability and counter disinformation.
- Prioritizing equity in science: A resilient forest depends on the diversity of its ecosystem, and the same is true for the scientific community. Recovery efforts must address longstanding inequities in access to scientific opportunities. Expanding support for historically underserved communities—through scholarships, training programs, and partnerships—will cultivate a more inclusive and diverse research ecosystem that enables us to tackle challenges with new perspectives and insights.
- Investing in federal research and development: Federal science funding is the bedrock upon which the U.S. scientific enterprise stands. Cutting public science budgets is like removing the foundation stones of a bridge when people are mid-journey in their systematic discovery process. In real-world terms, this means canceling clinical trials and putting potentially life-saving research on hold. Innovative solutions that ultimately benefit everyone will not be achieved with an unstable or diminished scientific infrastructure.
The role of science advocacy
Amid this tumultuous landscape created by Hurricane Musk and the current administration, science advocacy organizations have stepped up as lighthouses on the stormy seas. Advocacy is not a reactionary measure; it is an essential strategy for recovery and resilience. Science advocates work to bridge the gap between policymakers, community members, and the research community through campaigns, trainings, and fellowships to equip scientists with the tools they need to ensure their work has real-world impact with diverse audiences, from local communities to congressional offices.
Just as cities recover and rebuild after natural disasters, the enduring spirit of science and the scientific community will restore and strengthen our scientific infrastructure. This is not merely a call to action for scientists and policymakers—it is an invitation for everyone to be part of a movement that champions evidence, curiosity, and progress toward a healthier and more sustainable future. Join us by signing this open letter asking Congress to stand up for science and protect our health, environment, and our communities.