Administration rejuvenates science policy akin to initial Trump era
The Interior Department has announced a significant shift in its science policies, with the reinstatement of the "Promoting Open Science" policy that was first implemented during President Trump's term. The decision, made by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Aug 29, aims to restore trust in government decisions by ensuring they are based on open, honest, and verifiable science.
This move is part of a broader movement among federal agencies to revise their science policies, with the White House's Office of Science and Technology playing a significant role in these revisions. The new policy seeks to replace the previous administration's changes with a clear, common-sense standard that protects taxpayers, strengthens American innovation, and puts national interests first.
The reversal of the Biden administration's changes to the Interior's open science policy was a key part of President Trump's campaign to eliminate politicized ideology from science. The order to pursue this policy was publicized on Thursday, and other federal agencies are expected to follow suit, also revising their science policies in line with the White House's directives.
The Interior Department's commitment to transparency, integrity, and accountability in research and decision-making is reflected in this policy. David Bernhardt, who reinstated the "Promoting Open Science" policy during President Trump's first term, emphasized the importance of open and honest science in government decision-making.
Secretary Burgum's goal is to ensure that government decisions are based on the best available data, free from political influence. The resurrection of the Interior Department's "Promoting Open Science" policy is a step towards achieving this goal, and it is expected to have a ripple effect across other federal agencies.
This change in policy is a testament to the importance of open and honest science in government decision-making, and it underscores the commitment of the Interior Department to transparency, integrity, and accountability in research and decision-making. As more federal agencies revise their science policies, the impact of this shift is likely to be felt across various sectors, further strengthening American innovation and putting national interests first.
