President Trump has filled his science and technology advisory panel with people who aren’t scientists. The appointments include business executives, lobbyists, and political allies instead of researchers or tech experts.
This isn’t surprising given how the administration has handled science policy. Trump has repeatedly clashed with scientists on climate change, vaccines, and other issues. Now he’s putting people without scientific backgrounds in charge of advising on science policy.
Who Made the Cut
The appointee list reads like a who’s who of Trump supporters rather than scientific minds. Several come from industries that have fought against environmental regulations. Others are political operatives who’ve worked on Trump’s campaigns or in his previous administration.
Traditionally, these science advisory roles go to university researchers, tech company scientists, or medical experts. The idea is to have actual scientists help guide government decisions on everything from AI regulation to pandemic response.
But Trump’s picks suggest he’s more interested in loyalty than expertise. Many appointees have business interests that could benefit from looser science regulations or cuts to research funding.
What This Means
Science policy affects everything from drug approvals to internet privacy rules. Having non-scientists make these decisions could lead to policies that ignore research or favor certain industries.
The panel will likely recommend cutting funding for climate research and rolling back AI safety rules. They might also push for faster approval of new technologies without as much testing.
