CDC Faces Publishing Restrictions Under Trump Administration

Current and former officials at the CDC report ongoing restrictions on external communications and scientific publishing, citing control from political appointees under the Trump Administration. An internal memo indicates that all communications must comply with Executive Orders, with authors advised to withdraw papers conflicting with these directives. This climate of censorship has prompted the launch of the Journal of the Academy of Public Health (JAPH) by prominent scientists, including Trump's nominees for NIH and FDA, aiming to counteract the suppression of scientific discourse. JAPH will feature open access publishing and peer reviews that are typically withheld, addressing concerns about censorship faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The editorial team, including figures like Martin Kulldorff and Jay Bhattacharya, is committed to fostering innovation in public health research without gatekeeping. This initiative reflects a growing demand for transparency and open dialogue in medical research amidst fears of censorship and job cuts at the CDC.