Climate Assessment authors dismissed

Summary

The administration dismissed roughly 400 volunteer scientists writing the congressionally mandated Sixth National Climate Assessment, leaving the report's future in doubt.

What happened

On April 28, 2025, the administration dismissed all approximately 400 volunteer scientists writing the Sixth National Climate Assessment, a congressionally mandated, peer-reviewed report due in 2027. Officials said the assessment's scope was being 'reevaluated.' The dismissal left the future of the report uncertain.

Impact on the United States

Puts in doubt the federal assessment that NPR describes as widely used "by everyone from city planners to farmers to judges," including water utilities preparing for drought and schools planning for extreme heat.

Documented effects

1. Apr 2025Roughly 400 volunteer scientists dismissed from the congressionally mandated assessment[1]
2. Report, due in 2027, left with an uncertain future as its scope was 'reevaluated'[2]

Why this is rated severe

Leaves the authoritative federal climate-risk report relied on for nationwide planning in limbo.

Corrections & updates [3]

Every change to a fact on this page after publication is logged here, newest first.

1. Sep 29, 2026CorrectedSource

   Two headlines were recorded incorrectly. NPR's is "White House dismisses authors of major climate report." CNN's is "Trump administration dismisses all authors of major climate report, throwing US assessment into limbo."[2][3]

2. Sep 29, 2026ClarifiedUS impact

   The sources report that the authors were dismissed and that the assessment's scope was being "reevaluated," leaving the report "in limbo." They do not report that the assessment was eliminated. The wording now matches.[2][3]

3. Sep 29, 2026ClarifiedUS impact

   The US-impact text said the dismissal was degrading disaster preparedness nationwide. No cited source reports that effect; NPR reports that the assessment is widely used by city planners, farmers, water utilities and others, and that the dismissal put the report's future in doubt. The wording now matches.[2]

   + Show previous and current text- Hide previous and current text

   Previously

   Puts in doubt the authoritative US government assessment that states, cities, farmers, insurers, and infrastructure planners use to anticipate climate risks such as heat, flooding, drought, and wildfire, degrading disaster preparedness nationwide.

   Now

   Puts in doubt the federal assessment that NPR describes as widely used "by everyone from city planners to farmers to judges," including water utilities preparing for drought and schools planning for extreme heat.

Sources [3]