During the period from 2017 to 2021, certain terms experienced restricted or discouraged usage within specific federal agencies. This limitation manifested primarily through informal directives, impacting communication and reporting practices. For instance, phrases like “science-based” or “climate change” encountered resistance in documents and discussions emanating from departments such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The significance of such linguistic restrictions lies in their potential to influence policy decisions, data dissemination, and public perception. By discouraging the use of specific terms, the administration indirectly shaped the narrative surrounding key issues like environmental protection and public health. Historically, this practice echoes broader debates about governmental control over information and the role of language in shaping societal understanding.
