An investigation has revealed that multiple staffers from the Trump-aligned America First Policy Institute (AFPI) have been embedded within the US Census Bureau, gaining access to sensitive national data.

  • Staffers from the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) are embedded within the US Census Bureau.
  • These individuals have access to sensitive data used for congressional apportionment and federal funding.
  • Concerns are rising regarding the potential manipulation of election-related data and public trust.

A deep-dive investigation has uncovered that multiple staffers from the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a prominent right-wing think tank closely aligned with Donald Trump, have successfully integrated themselves into the US Census Bureau. This placement grants them access to vast troves of sensitive data concerning nearly every resident in the United States—data that is critical for drawing congressional districts and allocating billions in federal funding.

The Controversy Over Noncitizen Voting Reports

The tension escalated when the Census Bureau published an anonymously authored report titled “Noncitizen Voting in the 2020 Election: A Beginning Analysis.” The report claimed widespread noncitizen voting, a conclusion that experts and a WIRED investigation suggest was based on faulty methodology. Crucially, the authors of this report were identified as members of AFPI, highlighting a direct link between political advocacy and official government reporting.

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Allowing a politically motivated organization to embed personnel within a non-partisan statistical agency poses a systemic risk to democratic institutions.

BozokMedia analysis shows that this is not an isolated incident of staffing but a strategic move. These individuals are detailed to the agency via the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA), a mechanism that allows specialized personnel from non-profits to serve in government roles for up to two years.

Historical Context of Census Interference

The attempts to influence Census outcomes are not new. The Trump administration previously sought to implement rule changes that would exclude noncitizens from the population count, a move that would have drastically altered the political landscape of congressional apportionment. Additionally, Republicans have challenged 'differential privacy'—a mathematical method used to protect individual respondent anonymity—arguing it skews results in favor of Democrats.

The Growing Influence of AFPI

The influence of AFPI extends far beyond the Census Bureau. Many former members and associates have ascended to high-ranking positions within the Trump administration, including Brooke Rollins (Secretary of Agriculture) and Linda McMahon (Secretary of Education). This network of influence suggests a coordinated effort to shape federal agencies from within.

Did You Know?: The US Census occurs every ten years and is the primary tool used to redistribute seats in the House of Representatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What is the role of the US Census Bureau?
Answer: It is responsible for conducting the decennial census and collecting data used for political representation and resource allocation.

Question 2: Why is the involvement of AFPI controversial?
Answer: Because AFPI is a partisan think tank, its presence in a non-partisan agency raises fears of political bias in critical national statistics.