The Census Bureau is Now Headed by a Trump Official in an Acting Position
As of Wednesday, the U.S. Census Bureau has a new acting director: George Cook, an official at the Commerce Department. According to three bureau employees who received a staff announcement Friday and asked not to be named because they are not authorized to speak to the press, Cook's appointment was made as part of a broader shake-up within the Trump administration.
Cook will oversee the Census Bureau, which is responsible for conducting the decennial census and collecting data on the country's population. He also serves as the Commerce Department's acting undersecretary for economic affairs, a position that oversees the bureau, and chief of staff to that role. This dual appointment has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
"We're concerned about the lack of transparency and accountability in this process," said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who chairs the Senate Finance Committee. "The Census Bureau needs a permanent director who can provide stability and continuity, not someone who is juggling multiple roles."
Cook's appointment has also sparked debate among experts about the impact on the census process. "This could be a problem if it means that the Census Bureau is being run by someone who is more focused on politics than on getting an accurate count," said Dr. John Thompson, a demographer and former director of the Census Bureau.
The Trump administration has not commented on Cook's appointment, but a Commerce Department spokesperson said in a statement: "We are confident that George Cook will provide strong leadership to the Census Bureau."
Background on the census process is crucial, as it affects funding for local communities and informs policy decisions at the federal level. The decennial census is mandated by the Constitution and has been conducted every 10 years since 1790.
The appointment of an acting director comes as the Census Bureau is in the midst of a critical period, with the 2020 census still ongoing and the next census just around the corner. Cook's dual role raises questions about his ability to devote sufficient time and attention to the bureau's responsibilities.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Cook will navigate the complex tasks ahead and whether he can provide the stability and continuity that the Census Bureau needs.
*Reporting by Npr.*
