Trump Targeted Scientists in His First Term. This Time, They’re Prepared.
The New York Times | January 17, 2025 | Carol Davenport
During the first Trump administration, Virginia Burkett, a senior government scientist, felt like she had a target on her back.
She fought attempts by Trump officials to eliminate climate research programs while also rejecting their requests that she alter the nation’s premiere report on how global warming affects every region of the country.
But Dr. Burkett says she paid a price. In a whistle-blower complaint, she said the Trump administration retaliated by demoting her and removing her as chair of the committee overseeing the report….
Another resource is a nonprofit organization, the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund, that offers free legal counsel to climate scientists.
In December, the group offered packed workshops at the annual conference of the American Geophysical Union, a gathering in Washington of about 25,000 earth and space scientists from around the world.
“Compared to the first Trump administration, government scientists are now more comfortable coming to us and using our legal assistance, taking legal action,” said Lauren Kurtz, executive director of the group. “They are less afraid of rocking the boat.”