Reactions: ACS’s response to Trump, and US funding decisions

Letters to the Editor

ACS’s response to changes by the US administration

While Larry Lewis's dismay at the current state of the research environment in the US is understandable, I don't think such a harsh condemnation of the American Chemical Society is justified. The organization is clearly doing what it can by keeping members abreast of developments, informing them of what scientists are doing about this issue, and advocating for federal support for research. As for ACS awards, what better time than now for a beleaguered scientist to receive such an encouragement to persevere? Let's not shoot our own.

Tim Royappa
Pensacola, Florida

In the March 24 C&EN issue, there is an ACS Comment written by the chair of the American Chemical Society Board of Directors, in which he affirms "our long-standing commitment to science” (page 41). Then in the April 14 issue there is an editorial by the C&EN editorial staff summarizing rather fully the antiscience actions of the Donald J. Trump administration (page 2). Then in an issue with the unusual dating of April 21/28, there is a letter to the editor taking the board chair to task for his not dealing with the administration's destructive actions (page 3). It seems to me that the board chair needs to publish a response to the letter writer, outlining actions ACS is or will be taking to counter what has been done.

Robert R. Winkler
Pleasant Hill, Tennessee

US decisions on funding

RE: “White House Proposes to Slash Science Spending” (C&EN, May 12, 2025, page 12)

The US budget deficit requires some spending cuts and efficiency gains, but gutting the National Science Foundation, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Environmental Protection Agency while adding NASA spending for crewed missions to the moon and Mars makes no sense. Crewed Mars and moon missions should be deprioritized for at least a decade since they have near-zero return on investment (ROI) and huge risks to people. Funding should be spent on Earth or in low-Earth orbit, which will have better ROI. Much better ROI for the US would be to fully fund R&D to find diagnostics, treatments, and cures for long COVID, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and related chronic illnesses that are disabling million in the US so we can indeed make America healthy again. HHS director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified that his son has long COVID. Senator Tim Kaine is also affected.

Mark J. Camenzind
San Ramon, California