When government stops talking, we all lose

This isn’t about politics. It’s not about which party is in charge or who you voted for—it’s about accessing the information we rely on. Government communication isn’t just media releases and social media posts—it’s how we know if our water is safe, if there’s a public health threat, or how new policies will impact our daily lives.

But right now, that flow of information is being restricted. The new administration has taken steps to limit what the public can access—freezing communications from federal health agencies, removing key resources from government websites, and restricting media access. This isn’t just a shift in policy; it’s a deliberate effort to control information. And at a time when trust in government is already at rock bottom, that’s the last thing we need.

Why this matters more than ever

We’re already in a place where people don’t trust the government. According to the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, only 42% of Americans trust the government. The Pew Research Center found that number to be even lower, with only 22% of Americans saying they trust the government to do what’s right most of the time.

Now, imagine what happens when the government stops communicating altogether.

• Public safety suffers – People don’t get the information they need to make informed decisions.
• Misinformation spreads – Unreliable voices fill the gap when official sources go silent.
• Trust erodes even further – If people feel they’re being kept in the dark, they stop engaging.

And right now, that’s exactly what’s happening.

What information is currently being restricted?

• Federal health agencies have been silenced. The CDC, FDA, and NIH have been ordered to halt all external communication. That means no public health updates, safety alerts, or new research releases. The CDC has even been ordered to withdraw scientific papers from external journals.
• Key resources have disappeared. Government websites have been scrubbed of terms like “gender,” “transgender,” and “LGBT,” making it harder for people to find critical health information. HIV statistics, health risk behavior data, and research on gender identity have been taken offline.
• Scientific progress is on hold. A federal freeze on grants and loans has disrupted medical research projects funded by the NIH. Clinical trials have been delayed, research staff are going unpaid, and lifesaving advancements are now in limbo.
• Press freedom is under attack – The Pentagon has kicked out major news outlets like The New York Times and NPR, replacing them with media like Breitbart News and One America News Network. This shift limits independent oversight and reduces government accountability.

History has warned us about this

None of this is new. The dangers of restricting information have been clear for a long time. Even James Madison saw it coming, saying:

“A popular government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy; or, perhaps both.”

When the government stops talking, it’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a threat to democracy itself.

This isn’t about politics—it’s about trust, safety, and the right to know

At the end of the day, this isn’t about whether you support one person over the other. It’s about whether we, as a country, can trust the information we’re given. Government communication isn’t just about politics—it’s about keeping people safe, providing the education they need to make informed decisions, and ensuring they have access to facts, not just carefully controlled narratives.

When agencies go silent, people lose trust and the ability to react. Whether it’s a public health warning, a natural disaster alert, or a change in policy that affects everyday life, withholding information puts people at risk. Transparency isn’t just about good governance—it’s about public safety, education, and ensuring people can act on the facts that impact them.

The good news? Rebuilding trust starts with transparency. When government agencies communicate openly—even when the news isn’t good—people feel included rather than misled. Clear, consistent messaging isn’t just about information; it’s about strengthening democracy, protecting lives, and ensuring no one is left in the dark when it matters most.

If these restrictions continue, we’re looking at a future where information is filtered, delayed, or erased entirely. Once that becomes the norm, rebuilding trust—along with public confidence and safety—will be nearly impossible.