Taking a Breath
Taking a Breath
Let’s be honest: 2025 was tough and demanded everything we have.
But we did not back down. This community came together in support of science, researchers, and truth. We helped a record-breaking number of clients, thanks to the outpouring of support from our incredibly generous community. We collectively made it through 2025 by coming together, standing strong against those who would tear us apart.
The fact that we continue to hear from more and more researchers seeking legal help to fight back, and that people keep engaging with our educational resources, attending our events, and reading and sharing our social media and newsletter content, shows just how much we are all still in this fight. Stay tuned for our 2025 Year in Review, sent later this month, for a deeper look at what we accomplished even in the face of such staggering headwinds.
And we continue to expand our ability to push back against anti-science authoritarian wannabes. We are thrilled that our upcoming holiday matching challenge will be bigger than usual—significantly so—thanks to a generous group of pro-science supporters who have stepped up to join us in the fight.
2026 will be a big year for us. CSLDF turns 15, and on January 20 (not coincidentally, the one-year anniversary of Trump’s second Inauguration Day), the Silencing Science Tracker turns 8. Stay tuned for a new and improved version of this database, which we co-manage with the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law.
Now, it’s time for a collective breath. We encourage everyone to join us in taking a moment to rest, recover, and enjoy the season. We’ll face more challenges in 2026, and together, we will be ready.
Please note that things are moving very quickly and may have changed by the time you read this newsletter.
We remain committed to protecting and defending scientists. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please reach out for a free, confidential 1:1 consultation with one of our attorneys.
Upcoming Events
AGU Fall Meeting 2025: Free Legal Advice for Scientists
December 15 – December 18, 2025 | New Orleans Convention Center or virtual
Scientists attending the American Geophysical Union Annual Fall Meeting can meet with CSLDF attorneys for free, 30-minute legal consultations. Join us to discuss issues such as First Amendment matters, employment concerns, strategies for safeguarding online communications from adverse interests, or any other legal questions or concerns.
AGU Fall Meeting 2025: Anticipating the Legal Landscape for Scientific Research & Communication
December 17, 2025 at 2:15pm – 5:45pm CDT | Hall EFG (Poster Hall)
Join CSLDF for insight into how to combat and counter political attacks, including a thorough primer on the First Amendment and best practices on participating safely in advocacy and activism.
AGU Fall Meeting 2025: Preparing to Engage in the 2026 U.S. Elections
December 18, 2025 at 10am – 10:45am CDT | Hall B-2/C
2026 will be a significant election year for the U.S. Congress. Discuss what’s at stake in the 2026 election, ways scientists can get involved in election efforts, and how to convert plans into actions.