The Census Bureau is Now Headed by a Trump Official in an Acting Position
As of Wednesday, George Cook, a Commerce Department official, took over as the acting director of the U.S. Census Bureau, according to three bureau employees who received a staff announcement on Friday. The appointment was made without public fanfare, and the Commerce Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Cook's new role comes at a time when the 2020 census is still being reviewed by Congress. Critics have raised concerns about the Trump administration's handling of the census, including allegations of politicization and attempts to suppress minority voter turnout.
"This appointment raises serious questions about the independence and impartiality of the Census Bureau," said Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. "The Census Bureau must remain free from partisan influence to ensure that its work is accurate and unbiased."
Cook's appointment also highlights his own dual roles within the Commerce Department. He serves as both the acting undersecretary for economic affairs and chief of staff to that role, which oversees the Census Bureau.
"This creates a clear conflict of interest," said Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. "It's unacceptable that someone with such close ties to the Commerce Department is now leading the Census Bureau."
The Census Bureau has been at the center of controversy in recent years, particularly after a 2020 report by the Government Accountability Office found that the Trump administration had attempted to add a citizenship question to the census questionnaire without proper justification.
The appointment of Cook as acting director comes just months before the release of the 2020 census data. The data is expected to have significant implications for redistricting and funding allocations at the state and local levels.
As the Census Bureau moves forward under Cook's leadership, lawmakers and advocacy groups will be closely watching his actions to ensure that the bureau remains independent and impartial in its work.
In a statement, a Commerce Department spokesperson said that Cook is "well-qualified" for the role and has a "deep understanding of the Census Bureau's mission."
The appointment of George Cook as acting director of the U.S. Census Bureau marks a significant development in the ongoing saga surrounding the 2020 census. As the bureau moves forward under his leadership, questions about its independence and impartiality will continue to be raised.
Background: The U.S. Census Bureau is responsible for conducting the decennial census, which provides critical data for redistricting, funding allocations, and demographic analysis. The appointment of Cook as acting director raises concerns about the potential for partisan influence on the bureau's work.
Additional Perspectives:
A spokesperson for the Commerce Department said that Cook is "well-qualified" for the role and has a "deep understanding of the Census Bureau's mission."
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, expressed concerns about Cook's dual roles within the Commerce Department.
Current Status: The appointment of George Cook as acting director of the U.S. Census Bureau marks a significant development in the ongoing saga surrounding the 2020 census. As the bureau moves forward under his leadership, questions about its independence and impartiality will continue to be raised.
Next Developments: Lawmakers and advocacy groups will be closely watching Cook's actions to ensure that the Census Bureau remains independent and impartial in its work. The release of the 2020 census data is expected to have significant implications for redistricting and funding allocations at the state and local levels.
*Reporting by Npr.*
