Reporting on federal changes to science

How To Navigate the Impact of Manipulation and Removal of Federal Data: Expert Advice, Reporting Tips and Resources

Summary:

"Federal datasets have been manipulated and removed since the beginning of the Trump administration and continue to be under threat. In this piece, three data experts explain the critical consequences of this loss." The article includes video of the Oct 1, 2025 webinar, "Vanishing Numbers: How Federal Data Manipulation and Removal Threaten Journalism and Public Trust," and explores the following categories of federal data attacks:

  • Targeted removal of data that is not aligned with the Trump administration’s priorities.
  • Collateral damage from actions like reductions in the federal workforce, cutting contracts and terminating scientific advisory committees.
  • Removal of data that reflects poorly on the performance of the Trump administration’s policies.

Author:

Naseem S. Miller

Published By:

The Journalist’s Resource

Date:

October 15, 2025