NIH Will Continue Funding Research: Trump Blocked
Federal judge rules Trump's withdrawal of NIH science funding illegal, citing discrimination.
Photo by the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
Boston Federal Judge William Young declared null and void the Trump administration's decision to withdraw billions of dollars in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to various research programs. In a bench trial held yesterday, Young ruled that the NIH must restore the funds it withheld from the various organizations and the 16 Democratic states that sued the federal agency.
Reuters reports Young's additional comments on this case:
“[The federal funding withdrawals represent] racial discrimination and discrimination against the LGBTQ community in the United States.” Young, who was appointed to the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan, added that he had never seen “a record where racial discrimination was so apparent” in his four-decade career.
"They're pressuring people of color because of their skin color. The Constitution won't allow it."
Withdrawn Funds from the NIH
In February of this year, the Trump administration ordered the withdrawal of billions of dollars in NIH funding from various organizations to fund research projects across the country. Most of these organizations are universities, such as Harvard University, and other higher education institutions.
The withdrawal of these funds was part of the Trump Administration's federal effort to reduce unnecessary government spending. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by South African billionaire Elon Musk, originally spearheaded this mission. Although Musk already is not part of the Trump administration, his effort to eliminate government spending remains a priority for the president.
A letter signed by several NIH employees states the following: Since Donald Trump's inauguration earlier this year, the NIH has withdrawn 2,100 research grants, resulting in a loss of $9.5 billion in funding.
What Should Be Researched, and How Much Should It Cost?
The Trump Administration has been accused to focus their attacks and demands on research that addresses certain topics. These include diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), gender identity, and vaccine hesitancy. These topics have become a point of contention between left-wing actors, who celebrate these concepts, and right-wing actors, who perceive them as unnecessary.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the agency in charge of the NIH. In a statement, HHS Public Representative Andrew Nixon responded to Judge Young's decision:
“[The Department of Health and Human Services] reaffirms its decision to end funding for research that prioritized ideological agendas over scientific rigor and meaningful results for the American people.”
The Department of Health and Human Services is headed by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.), who has been criticized by experts in health for his attitude in the context of vaccine hesitancy. Nixon continues:
“Under the leadership of Secretary Kennedy and the Trump administration, HHS is committed to ensuring that taxpayer funds support programs based on evidence-based practices and high-level science, not driven by divisive DEI mandates or gender ideologies. HHS is exploring all legal options, including filing an appeal and requesting a stay of the order.”
Judge Young's order does not apply to all the grants withdrawn by the federal government. Young says he intends to expand his efforts to cover the remaining grants.
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