Political meddling at the Census Bureau damages the US statistical system
This article argues that recent political interference at the U.S. Census Bureau threatens the integrity of the nation's statistical systems. The author expresses concern that such interventions undermine public trust in essential economic and demographic data.
Why it matters
The erosion of institutional trust in government data can have significant consequences for policy-making, financial markets, and democratic processes like redistricting.
PIIE gratefully acknowledges financial support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for the research presented in this article, and several more to come on the economic statistical system. The research was conducted independently; funders are never given the right to review a publication before its release.
This summer marks the worst period for US statistical integrity since President Donald Trump fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics last August. Two different and seemingly uncoordinated events at the Census Bureau raised alarms about inappropriate political encroachment on the scientific and technical authority of the agency.
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