Doug Burgum, Interior Secretary | Facebook
The Department of the Interior has announced a new Secretary’s Order to implement President Trump’s Executive Order 14303, titled “Restoring Gold Standard Science.” This move aims to reinforce transparency, integrity, and accountability in federal research and decision-making.
The order brings back the 2018 policy known as “Promoting Open Science,” reversing changes made between 2021 and 2025 that officials say weakened data transparency, scientific rigor, and public trust. The Department stated that this action aligns its practices with June 2025 guidance from the Office of Science and Technology Policy and reinstates Secretary’s Order 3369 Amendment 1.
“Our goal is simple: restore the American people’s trust by making sure government decisions are based on science that is open, honest and verifiable,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “President Trump is leading the charge to eliminate politicized ideology and replace it with a clear, common-sense standard that protects taxpayers, strengthens American innovation and puts our national interests first.”
According to the Department, the updated policy sets strict criteria for using scientific information in rulemaking and agency actions. It requires research to be reproducible, peer-reviewed, and transparent about uncertainty, error, and assumptions. Scientific data, models, and methodologies used in agency decisions must be made publicly available as much as permitted by law.
Department bureaus and offices will review their current scientific integrity policies to ensure compliance with both the executive order and new departmental guidance. There will also be a public rulemaking process so that Department-funded research maintains high standards of accuracy and transparency.
Officials say this step supports President Trump’s agenda to rebuild confidence in federal institutions while reducing regulatory abuse. The initiative is intended to promote responsible scientific practices that advance national prosperity and security.
More information can be found at www.doi.gov.
