Former NIH Scientist Sues Trump Administration Over Firing

A former leading scientist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming her termination was illegal and retaliatory. Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, who served as the director of the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, alleges she was dismissed for raising concerns about significant cuts to research funding that she argues jeopardized public health and patient safety.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Maryland, states that since President Donald Trump took office in January 2017, the NIH has implemented billions of dollars in funding cuts. These reductions have affected numerous research projects, including vital clinical trials for cancer treatments and brain diseases, impacting over 74,000 participants, according to a recent report.

Dr. Marrazzo, a respected expert in HIV research, was placed on administrative leave last spring after she voiced her objections to NIH officials regarding the abrupt funding cuts. She contended that these reductions not only endangered clinical trial participants but also posed risks to infectious disease and vaccine research, ultimately harming public health.

In September 2023, Dr. Marrazzo lodged a whistleblower retaliation complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, making her concerns public. Just weeks later, she was terminated by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an action she claims violates whistleblower protections.

In a statement through her legal representatives, Dr. Marrazzo emphasized that her lawsuit aims to protect not only her rights to expose government misconduct but also the rights of all federal employees. She highlighted the need to safeguard essential public health priorities and maintain the integrity of scientific research.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which underscores the commitment to credible reporting in the field of health and science. The AP maintains full responsibility for the content of this article.

Dr. Marrazzo’s case raises significant questions about the intersection of scientific integrity, public health, and government oversight, especially in an era where research funding remains crucial to advancing medical knowledge and patient care.