President Donald Trump's second term saw a significant decline in federal data collection across various sectors, according to a report released Dec. 31, 2025. The administration's approach, characterized by what some experts are calling a "no data, just vibes" strategy, has undermined the government's ability to track critical information related to the environment, public health, employment, demographics, and weather patterns.
The report, compiled by Umair Irfan, Dylan Scott, Sara Herschander, and Shayna Korol, highlights eight specific ways the administration has weakened data collection efforts. These include budget cuts, staff reductions, and the suppression of data that contradicts the president's preferred narrative. "The federal government is a key collector of vital data about the makeup of the country," the report states. "President Donald Trump has long been hostile to data that contradicts his messaging and has presided over major rollbacks to data collection."
One example cited in the report is the scaling back of environmental monitoring programs. Reduced funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) led to fewer inspections of industrial facilities and a decrease in the collection of air and water quality data. This has made it more difficult to assess the impact of pollution on public health and the environment.
Another area of concern is public health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) experienced significant budget cuts, which hampered its ability to track and respond to emerging health threats. The report notes that this could lead to delays in identifying and containing outbreaks of infectious diseases.
The administration's actions have drawn criticism from scientists and data experts. They argue that the lack of reliable data will hinder scientific progress, make it harder to understand the economy, and potentially lead to missed opportunities to address important health issues. "With less robust and accurate data, advances in science will slow down, Americans will have a murkier picture of the economy, and officials could miss important health," the report warns.
The long-term consequences of these data collection rollbacks are still uncertain. However, experts fear that they could have a lasting impact on the country's ability to address critical challenges in the years to come.
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