At the start of 2025, the relationship between the United States government and the scientific community changed. Major scientific groups and federal agencies are now dealing with new rules that remove Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. At recent meetings of the world's largest science groups, attendees described a somber mood, with some comparing the event to a funeral. While the government says these changes are meant to fix "institutional rot," many scientists fear that losing these programs will drive talent away from the country.
"We are a target," noted leaders of scientific societies, as they face pressure to align with the new administration’s focus.
The Shift in Science Management
The current administration has begun a broad effort to remove DEI from federal and academic spaces. This started in early February 2025 and has quickly spread through major agencies and schools.
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NASA has officially removed "equity" as one of its core values from its websites and internal documents.
The White House is seeking more direct control over how science money is spent, moving away from the old way where independent experts made these choices.
Major Universities, such as the University of Michigan, have closed their DEI offices entirely rather than just changing their names.
| Key Actor | Action Taken | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Trump Administration | Issued orders to purge DEI programs. | Ongoing across all federal levels. |
| NASA | Removed "Diversity" as a core agency value. | Implemented on official websites. |
| University of Michigan | Closed its DEI office. | Office shut down as of late 2024/early 2025. |
| AAAS | Held convention discussing these pressures. | Scientists report high levels of stress. |
The core shift is a move from decentralized science funding to a model where the White House has more power over research goals.
Documented Evidence of Policy Changes
Evidence from official agency actions and public reports shows a systematic removal of specific programs:
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Agency Purge: Documents show NASA scientists who worked on diversity for years are seeing their programs ended.
Funding Control: New White House moves aim to change how federal support is given to researchers, which some experts call "unprecedented."
Campus Impact: Academic reports confirm that some schools are trying to hide DEI work under new names, but others are simply stopping the work to avoid losing federal money.
The Removal of Agency Values
The changes at NASA serve as a primary example of this policy shift. For several years, the space agency operated with five core values. The fifth value, which focused on diversity, has been removed from public-facing sites.
Viewpoint A: Supporters of the change argue that DEI programs are "symptoms of institutional rot" and act as a "demand-generating machine" for certain types of jobs rather than helping with actual science.
Viewpoint B: NASA employees and outside scientists argue that these programs were "foundational" to recruiting the best talent from all backgrounds.
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Is the removal of these values a move toward merit-based hiring, or will it stop the agency from finding the best talent in a diverse population?
The Debate Over Federal Funding
The White House has moved to take more control over how science grants are handed out. Previously, committees of scientists mostly decided which projects were worth the money.
The Government Position: The administration seeks to ensure that tax dollars are spent on research that fits national priorities rather than social goals.
The Scientific Position: Researchers, as reported by NPR, state that "science is dead" if federal support becomes too political or if the White House controls every dollar based on ideology.
The main question remains: can the US research system remain a global leader if the rules for funding change so quickly?
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Impacts on Higher Education
Universities are currently the main battleground for these anti-DEI policies. The University of Michigan is a high-profile case where offices were shut down.
Some scholars warn that "rebranding" programs will not work because the administration is looking for total removal.
Opinion pieces in Inside Higher Ed suggest that these bans will be "catastrophic" because many federal grants for young scientists were tied to diversity goals.
Others argue that DEI programs were "class warfare in disguise" because they often ignored poor people from rural areas or specific ethnic groups who did not fit a certain political story.
Expert Analysis
Experts are divided on what these changes mean for the long-term health of American science.
Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), a ranking member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, expressed concern that the new moves to control funding are a major departure from how the US has led the world in science for decades.
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Institutional Scholars mentioned in Times Higher Education suggest that the "grave impact" is already being felt as top researchers consider moving to the private sector or leaving the country. They point out that many young scientists "deferred their personal economic progress" to work in these programs and now feel their careers are at risk.
Investigative Findings
The evidence shows a significant rift between the current US administration and the scientific community. The following points are clear:
Systematic Removal: This is not a series of small changes; it is a coordinated effort to remove DEI from the language and budget of the federal government.
Economic Risk: There is a real risk of "talent drain" as scientists express a desire to move to private companies where these rules might not apply.
Uncertainty: It is not yet clear if the US can maintain its scientific lead while renegotiating the "contract" between the government and researchers.
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The investigation finds that while the administration views these moves as a return to "core science," the people doing the work see it as an "erasing of American science."
Primary Sources
Nature: ‘We are a target’: scientific society under pressure after Trump DEI crackdown - Details the pressure on scientific groups.
Scientific American: Trump’s DEI Purge Is Hitting NASA Hard - Reports on the removal of diversity values at NASA.
The Atlantic: The Erasing of American Science - Analysis of the changing relationship between government and researchers.
Times Higher Education: Trump’s anti-DEI agenda ‘already having grave impact’ - Focuses on the closure of university offices.
Inside Higher Ed: Banning DEI Is Catastrophic for U.S. Science (opinion) - An opinion piece regarding the loss of talent.
NPR: 'Unprecedented': White House moves to control science funding worry researchers - Details the shift in grant control.
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