Commerce Scrubs Policy Banning Political Interference

The Department of Commerce has scrubbed part of its scientific-integrity policy that banned political interference with its agencies’ research and data, an unannounced policy update dated Aug. 19 shows. 

The move, first reported by NPR, raises questions about the reliability of reports conducted by the Census Bureau, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. It could also affect grant competitions put on by the department, adding to the mounting concerns about the politicization of federally funded research, one source told Inside Higher Ed. 

In the purpose section of the scientific-integrity policy, department officials still say that the document is “critical to maintaining the trust of the American people and ensuring confidence in government decisions informed by science.” But it is missing key language about suppressing, delaying or altering findings from any of the department’s agencies for “political purposes,” which was included in the last version, according to NPR. 

The prior version, which NPR says was released in January 2025, shortly before Trump took office, said that “protection from inappropriate influence” was among the “hallmarks of scientific integrity.” It also noted that the department should ensure there’s an “independent review of facilities, methodologies, and other scientific activities as appropriate to ensure scientific integrity” when it comes to the agencies’ findings.

The new version doesn’t include any of that language.

Sarah Spreitzer, vice president of government relations at the American Council on Education, told Inside Higher Ed this policy change adds to concerns about President Trump’s efforts to “politicize the federal grant-making and federally funded research process.” 

The scientific-integrity policy appears to affect more than just internal data collection and analysis within the Commerce Department, extending to external grants as well, Spreitzer said. The updated policy also notes that it is issued “in accordance with” Executive Order 14303: Restoring Gold Standard Science—the same executive order that was referenced in the Office of Management and Budget’s proposal that would overhaul federal grant rules and give political appointees more power in awarding grants.

“This change appears to be a further effort by the administration and the Office of Management of Budget to move forward with implementing the proposed changes … before that rule is finalized, or indeed before OMB has responded to the tens of thousands of comments received from various stakeholders,” Spreitzer said.