The National Climate Assessment is the federal government's most comprehensive climate science report, issued every few years by hundreds of researchers.
It informs policymakers, educators, and the public about how climate change is impacting the U.S., aiding preparation and understanding.
insights INSIGHT
Trump's Strategy Against Climate Science
The Trump administration is systematically dismantling federal climate science and research, targeting the National Climate Assessment.
Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought sees the report as a legal threat to deregulatory efforts and fossil fuel interests.
insights INSIGHT
Unprecedented Scientist Dismissals
The mass dismissal of scientists working on the National Climate Assessment is unprecedented in U.S. history.
Previous administrations either ignored or reluctantly accepted the report despite disagreements, unlike the Trump administration's active purging.
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The Trump administration has dismissed all of the scientists working on the newest version of the National Climate Assessment, the most important climate science report issued by the federal government. Scott Waldman from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down why these firings happened, how they might impact the report’s future and the Trump administration’s broader plans. Plus, Interior Department staff were told to upload their resumes by midday Tuesday to help officials determine which employees will be fired as part of the DOGE-driven reduction-in-force effort.
Scott Waldman is the White House reporter for E&E News focused on climate change.
Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.
Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.
