President Trump Issues Call for “New” Census: Stakeholders and The Census Project Respond

President Trump Issues Call for “New” Census: Stakeholders and The Census Project Respond

In an August 7, 2025, Truth Social post, President Trump announced his support for a “new” census that would not count “people who are in our country illegally.” No further clarifying comments from the White House nor the Department of Commerce or Census Bureau were immediately issued.

Census stakeholders responded by urging the Administration to remain focused on preparations for the next decennial census. As the Population Association of America said in its statement, “recommending a “new” census at this point in the ramp up to the 2030 Census poses significant operational, fiscal, and constitutional challenges. These challenges would be exacerbated by any potential unprecedented changes to the design and conduct of such an enumeration.” The Insights Association echoed this position by calling for the Administration to “fully fund the 2030 Census.” The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights also issued a statement, urging Congress and the administration to “prioritize providing the Census Bureau with the resources necessary to utilize the latest technology and most effective methods for counting all residents of our nation, just as it has been charged to do every 10 years for centuries.”

The Census Project joins these organizations and others in urging the Administration to remain focused on ensuring the success of the 2030 Census. Diverting funding, personnel, and other resources away from 2030 Census preparations potentially jeopardizes the conduct of the next constitutionally-required decennial census. Further, conducting a new or mid-decade census threatens ongoing research and testing needed to ensure the 2030 Census is inclusive, cost-effective, and accurate.