Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Launches PCAST to Restore American Leadership in Science and Technology

Fact Sheets

TLDR

This executive order recharters the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) with controversial changes: appointing a “crypto czar” as co-chair, eliminating diversity initiatives, revoking environmental justice orders, and shifting focus from applied to fundamental research. While framed as promoting scientific excellence, it appears designed to reshape federal science policy in alignment with Project 2025’s goals.

This is a “fact sheet” about the “President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology” (PCAST) proclamation.

The 24-member council structure appears standard, but there are notable concerns:

  • While presented as new, this is actually a rechartering of an existing council that has existed since George W. Bush’s administration in 2001.
  • The co-chair structure deviates from tradition by elevating a “crypto czar” (David Sacks) alongside the science advisor, potentially shifting focus from broader science policy to specific technology interests.
  • The Department of Energy will financially support PCAST, but members will not be paid for their work.

The order’s emphasis on “merit-based achievement” masks significant policy shifts:

  • It eliminates existing diversity and inclusion initiatives across federal science programs.
  • The order revokes multiple previous executive orders related to environmental justice and equity in federal workforce.

The order’s claims about restoring excellence are questionable:

  • Trump’s previous administration took nearly three years to form PCAST during his first term.
  • The current rapid formation appears more focused on implementing Project 2025 proposals, which include rolling back climate science programs and cutting research ties with China.

The order signals several concerning changes:

  • A move away from applied research toward fundamental research only.
  • Potential reduction in climate science funding and environmental research.
  • Creation of new subcommittees with access to classified documents.

The broader context reveals potential challenges:

  • Federal science workers face uncertainty about job security.
  • The administration’s Project 2025 plans suggest significant changes to the merit-based civil service system.

While presented as a restoration of scientific excellence, this PCAST rechartering appears to be part of a broader agenda to fundamentally reshape federal science policy, potentially limiting certain areas of research while emphasizing others aligned with specific technological and ideological priorities.

RENEWING AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN CRITICAL AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES: Today, President Donald J. Trump announced the establishment of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) to spearhead American innovation and competitiveness in critical and emerging technologies.

  • PCAST will include up to 24 members, with representation from leading American scientists and technologists from industry, academia, and government.
  • The Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and the White House A.I. and Crypto Czar will co-chair PCAST.
  • PCAST will provide advice and evidence-based recommendations to the President to ensure that policies are informed by the latest scientific discoveries and technological advancements.
  • This council will champion bold investments in innovation, the elimination of bureaucratic barriers, and actions to help the United States remain the world’s premier hub for scientific and technological breakthroughs.

FOCUSING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ON EXCELLENCE: President Trump is refocusing science and technology policy to emphasize results-driven excellence and merit-based achievement.

  • The United States must leverage its pioneering spirit to lead in transformative science and technology, reshaping industries and securing the nation’s leadership.
  • The pursuit of scientific truth is under threat from ideological agendas that prioritize group identity over individual merit, enforce conformity at the expense of innovative ideas, and inject politics into the heart of the scientific method.
  • These threats have not only distorted truth, but have eroded public trust, undermined the integrity of research, stifled innovation, and weakened America’s competitive edge.
  • PCAST will restore excellence by bringing together the brightest minds from academia, industry, and government to prioritize measurable results, foster innovation, and dismantle barriers to scientific progress.

BUILDING ON SIGNIFICANT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ACCOMPLISHMENTS: President Trump’s first administration laid a strong foundation for American technological leadership.

  • Launching national initiatives to drive innovation in critical technologies, including the American AI Initiative and the National Quantum Initiative, which prioritized research, strategic investments, and workforce development in transformative fields.
  • Advancing emerging technologies by crafting regulatory and non-regulatory frameworks for areas such as autonomous driving systems, unmanned aerial systems, and biotechnology, ensuring a balanced approach to innovation and safety.
  • Accelerating groundbreaking research and collaboration through initiatives like the National AI Research Resource, spectrum auctions to unlock valuable frequencies for 5G and innovation, and investments in world-leading supercomputing systems.