President Donald Trump's second term saw a significant decline in federal data collection across various sectors, according to a report released December 31, 2025. The administration's actions, detailed in a report by ClimateInside, stemmed from ideological opposition to data, a desire to obscure unfavorable trends, and substantial budget cuts that hampered agencies' ability to monitor the nation effectively.

The report highlighted several key areas affected by these changes, including environmental monitoring, public health tracking, employment statistics, demographic data, and weather forecasting. Experts warned that the degradation of data collection would impede scientific progress, obscure the true state of the economy, and potentially lead to missed health crises.

"The federal government serves as a crucial collector of vital data about the country's composition," the report stated. "President Trump has long displayed hostility toward data that contradicts his messaging and has overseen significant rollbacks in data collection related to the environment, public health, employment, demographics, and the weather."

One specific example cited was the scaling back of environmental monitoring programs. Budget cuts forced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce the number of air and water quality monitoring stations across the country. This reduction made it more difficult to track pollution levels and assess the impact of environmental regulations.

In the realm of public health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) experienced delays in data reporting due to staff reductions and outdated data infrastructure. This slowdown hindered the agency's ability to respond effectively to emerging health threats and track the spread of infectious diseases.

Economists expressed concern about the reliability of employment statistics, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) faced challenges in maintaining accurate data collection methods. Changes in survey methodologies and reduced sample sizes raised questions about the validity of unemployment rates and job growth figures.

Demographic data collection also suffered, with the Census Bureau facing budget constraints and political interference. Concerns arose about the accuracy of population counts and demographic trends, which are crucial for allocating federal funding and determining congressional representation.

Meteorologists voiced alarm over the deterioration of weather forecasting capabilities. Funding cuts affected the National Weather Service's (NWS) ability to maintain and upgrade weather monitoring equipment, potentially leading to less accurate weather predictions and delayed warnings for severe weather events.

Critics argued that the Trump administration's approach to science prioritized political expediency over evidence-based decision-making. They warned that the long-term consequences of data degradation could be severe, hindering scientific advancements, undermining public trust in government, and jeopardizing the nation's ability to address critical challenges. The future impact of these changes remains to be seen, but experts agree that restoring robust data collection systems will be essential for informed policymaking and scientific progress.