Conservative Groups Flood Universities with Records Requests to Target Climate Scientists

Key points

• A POLITICO investigation identified more than 100 open records requests filed at 19 public universities across the United States over the past five years.
• These requests target at least 30 researchers, demanding access to emails, research drafts, and correspondence with law firms.
• More than half of these requests were filed after President Donald Trump’s reelection in November 2024.
• The goal is to discredit academic work that supports legal claims against U.S. fossil fuel companies for damages related to extreme weather.
• This effort aligns with a broader Trump administration push to block dozens of lawsuits levied by communities affected by climate change.

Background

This legal maneuvering occurs amid a complex landscape of climate litigation. Recently, a federal judge struck down New York’s climate 'superfund' law, ruling it preempted by federal statutes, which casts doubt on similar legislation in New Jersey. Meanwhile, international discussions on climate reparations, such as Nepal’s call for compensation following catastrophic floods, highlight the global stakes of holding fossil fuel companies accountable. The current strategy of targeting researchers represents a new front in the decades-long effort by right-leaning groups to influence the outcome of high-stakes climate cases.

Why it matters

By attempting to expose private communications and drafts, these requests aim to create a narrative of bias or misconduct among scientists. This could weaken the credibility of expert testimony in court, potentially shielding fossil fuel companies from liability for climate damages. The surge in these requests signals a coordinated effort to disrupt the legal and scientific foundations of climate accountability.

What to watch

Universities and researchers may face increased scrutiny and legal challenges as these requests are processed. The Trump administration’s broader efforts to block climate lawsuits may provide additional legal or political support for these disclosure campaigns, potentially setting precedents for future academic and legal disputes.