On August 21, 2025, the Trump administration removed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s updated scientific integrity policy from the agency's website. The removal was not publicly announced, and no explanation was provided.
The policy, which went into effect on January 16, 2025, aimed to restore trust in federal science by stating that EPA would “not suppress, unreasonably delay, or alter scientific findings and products for non-scientific reasons.” However, following a May 2025 executive order that mandated federal agencies to revert to their previous scientific integrity policies from before January 20, 2021, the EPA will now follow its 2012 policy.
The updated 2025 policy addressed concerns not covered by the 2012 version, such as strengthening guardrails against political interference and the suppression of scientific findings. It also provided protections for federal scientists, such as safeguarding their right to speak to the public and the press, and established a more structured process for handling complaints.