WASHINGTON (January 24, 2017) — Today the Trump transition team circulated a memo to the Environment Protection Agency requiring scientists and other staff to immediately stop communicating with the public through any means, including press releases, social media, blog posts or new website content. Other agencies received similar directives to cease all communications, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Following is a statement from Sam Adams, U.S. Director, World Resources Institute:

“These actions will stem the free flow of information and have a chilling effect on staff in these agencies. This flies in the face of effective policymaking which requires an open exchange of ideas, supported by the best science and evidence available. Curtailing communications from these agencies will hinder their ability to provide clean air and water and protect people’s health across the country. The administration should lift these bans as soon as possible and ensure that the role of science is respected within our government agencies.”