Maintaining Our Ethical Code in the Age of Trumpism

Edited on 2/7/25 to add references from the Ohio Capital Journal, UC Berkeley, and Washington Post.

In recent years, the political landscape in the United States has undergone significant shifts, with the rise of Trumpism introducing a new era of divisiveness (as captured by the Ohio Capital Journal, 2024), misinformation (Washington Post, 2021), and authoritarian tendencies (Thulin, 2025). Regardless of your political affiliation, these societal changes have implications for all professions, including behavior analysis. As behavior analysts, we are bound by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Ethical Code, which serves as a compass to guide our professional conduct. But how do we maintain our ethical integrity amidst increasing polarization and societal pressures?

This article explores how the political climate can challenge our ethical practices and offers strategies to uphold our professional standards. By understanding and applying the BACB Ethical Code, we can navigate these challenges and remain steadfast in our commitment to cultural humility, evidence-based practices, and social responsibility.

Upholding Our Ethics Code

As behavior analysts, we are bound by the BACB Ethics Code, which requires us to prioritize the well-being of our clients, maintain professional integrity, and act in ways that promote equity and social responsibility. As the current administration makes widespread changes which disproportionately impact marginalized communities, it is more critical than ever that we uphold these ethical standards. The effects of political decisions extend beyond policy changes—they shape the lives of the families we serve, influencing access to healthcare, educational resources, and support systems essential to their well-being. We, as behavior analysts, have a duty to put our clients first, ensuring that political pressures or personal beliefs never interfere with our commitment to providing ethical, effective, and unbiased care.

The BACB Ethics Code provides clear guidance on how to navigate these challenges:

Core Principle 1. Benefit Others

“Behavior analysts work to maximize benefits and do no harm by protecting the welfare and rights of clients above all others.”

How to Uphold This Core Principle

• Advocate for client rights by ensuring that political or institutional policies do not interfere with ethical service delivery.

• Identify potential conflicts of interest—such as an employer pressuring a BCBA to prioritize profit over client needs—and address them to avoid harm.

• Be aware of personal stressors (e.g., mental or physical health concerns, financial strain, political frustration) that could impact professional judgment and take appropriate steps to ensure ethical decision-making.

• Ensure that vulnerable populations receive priority care regardless of political or financial pressures.

  
  

Core Principle 2. Treat Others with Compassion, Dignity, and Respect

“Behavior analysts behave toward others with compassion, dignity, and respect by treating others equitably, regardless of factors such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender expression/identity, immigration status, marital/ relationship status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or any other basis proscribed by law.”

How to Uphold This Core Principle

• Ensure all clients receive equal treatment and respect, regardless of political pressures or controversial legislation.

• Respect and promote self-determination by allowing clients and their families to make informed choices about their care, even when political narratives oppose their autonomy.

• Maintain strict confidentiality, particularly for clients who may be impacted by legal or political issues (e.g., undocumented families, LGBTQ+ individuals facing discrimination).

• Foster a culture of respect in supervision and collaboration, ensuring that all discussions remain professional and inclusive.

1.07 Cultural Responsiveness and Diversity

“Behavior analysts actively engage in professional development activities to acquire knowledge and skills related to cultural responsiveness and diversity. They evaluate their own biases and ability to address the needs of individuals with diverse needs/ backgrounds (e.g., age, disability, ethnicity, gender expression/identity, immigration status, marital/relationship status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status). Behavior analysts also evaluate biases of their supervisees and trainees, as well as their supervisees’ and trainees’ ability to address the needs of individuals with diverse needs/backgrounds.”

How to Uphold This Code

• Continue professional development in cultural responsiveness, even if external pressures discourage  diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) related training.

• Advocate for inclusive services while maintaining neutrality in politically charged discussions.

• Ensure all interventions respect the individual’s background and identity, regardless of political discourse.

• Use scientific evidence to support the importance of culturally responsive care when faced with pushback.

  
  

1.08 Nondiscrimination

“Behavior analysts do not discriminate against others. They behave toward others in an equitable and inclusive manner regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender expression/identity, immigration status, marital/relationship status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or any other basis proscribed by law.”

How to Uphold This Code

• Ensure that all clients receive equitable services, regardless of changes in state or federal policies.

• If an employer implements discriminatory practices, seek ethical guidance on how to respond while maintaining job security.

• Proactively create safe, affirming spaces for all clients within the boundaries of ethical practice.

• Challenge discrimination with data and advocacy rather than engaging in politically charged arguments.

1.10 Awareness of Personal Biases and Challenges

“Behavior analysts maintain awareness that their personal biases or challenges (e.g., mental or physical health conditions; legal, financial, marital/relationship challenges) may interfere with the effectiveness of their professional work. Behavior analysts take appropriate steps to resolve interference, ensure that their professional work is not compromised, and document all actions taken in this circumstance and the eventual outcomes.”

How to Uphold This Code

• Engage in self-reflection to recognize any biases that may influence decision-making.

• Ensure that professional work is guided by science, not personal political beliefs or frustrations.

• Seek supervision or peer consultation if personal challenges affect objectivity or the ability to provide high-quality services.

• Maintain professionalism in online and workplace discussions, avoiding political debates that could compromise objectivity.

  
  

3.01 Responsibility to Clients

“Behavior analysts act in the best interest of clients, taking appropriate steps to support clients’ rights, maximize benefits, and do no harm. They are also knowledgeable about and comply with applicable laws and regulations related to mandated reporting requirements.”

How to Uphold This Code

• Ensure clients receive appropriate services, even when political or financial barriers exist.

• Educate caregivers and stakeholders about the importance of evidence-based interventions.

• Connect families to funding resources, advocacy groups, and alternative service options when policies limit access to care.

• Document instances where policy changes negatively impact clients to support advocacy efforts.

  
  

3.12 Advocating for Appropriate Services

“Behavior analysts advocate for and educate clients and stakeholders about evidence-based assessment and behavior change intervention procedures. They also advocate for the appropriate amount and level of behavioral service provision and oversight required to meet defined client goals.”

How to Uphold This Code

• Provide clear, research-backed information about ABA and related interventions.

• Combat misinformation with facts, but without confrontation—focusing on open discussion rather than political debate.

• Educate families on how to assess scientific credibility and identify misinformation.

• Advocate for funding and policy improvements that support behavioral healthcare access.

  
  

4.07 Incorporating and Addressing Diversity 

“During supervision and training, behavior analysts actively incorporate and address topics related to diversity (e.g., age, disability, ethnicity, gender expression/identity, immigration status, marital/relationship status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status).”

How to Uphold This Code

• Ensure supervisees receive training on cultural competence and bias awareness, even if formal DEI programs are restricted.

• Use case studies and clinical examples to incorporate discussions on diversity without engaging in political debate.

• Encourage supervisees to self-reflect on biases that may influence treatment recommendations.

• Stay informed on policy changes that affect training and supervision, and adjust practices accordingly while remaining within ethical guidelines.

Strategies for Ethical Integrity

1. Commit to Cultural Humility

   • Actively seek training and professional development opportunities to enhance cultural responsiveness.

   • Engage in reflective practices to identify and mitigate personal biases.

2. Focus on Evidence-Based Practices

   • Prioritize interventions and recommendations supported by empirical evidence, even when they challenge prevailing societal narratives.

   • Use clear, non-judgmental language when explaining the rationale for evidence-based decisions.

3. Establish and Maintain Professional Boundaries

   • Avoid discussing personal political views in professional settings.

   • Redirect politically charged conversations to focus on the client’s goals and evidence-based solutions.

4. Advocate for Ethical Practices

   • Use your expertise to promote ethical and inclusive policies within your organization and community.

   • Collaborate with colleagues to address systemic issues that conflict with our ethical code.

Call to Action

In the age of Trumpism, behavior analysts face unique ethical challenges that test our commitment to the principles of our field. By adhering to the BACB Ethical Code and actively promoting cultural humility, evidence-based practices, and social responsibility, we can navigate these challenges with integrity. As leaders in behavioral science, we have an opportunity to set an example for others, fostering environments that prioritize inclusivity, respect, and ethical conduct.

Now more than ever, our role as behavior analysts is not just to change individual behavior but to contribute to a broader societal shift toward ethical and evidence-based practices. Let us rise to this challenge with the courage and conviction our profession demands.

References

Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2020). Ethics code for behavior analysts. https://bacb.com/wp-content/ethics-code-for-behavior-analysts/

Murray, A. (2024, November). Trump more than ever mixes anger, fear and insults to stir supporters, say researchers. Ohio Capital Journal. https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/11/04/trump-more-than-ever-mixes-anger-fear-and-insults-to-stir-supporters-say-researchers/

Thulin, Lila (2025, January). There’s a term for Trump’s political style: authoritarian populism. UC Berkeley News. https://news.berkeley.edu/2025/01/21/theres-a-term-for-trumps-political-style-authoritarian-populism/

Washington Post (2021, January) In four years, President Trump made 30,573 false or misleading claims. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/trump-claims-database/