Twenty-two states sue Trump over NIH funding cuts

A coalition of 22 state attorneys general, led by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over significant cuts to federal funding for medical and public health research. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, challenges the administration's decision to reduce 'indirect cost' reimbursements for research institutions to 15%, which cover essential expenses like lab space and infrastructure. The coalition argues this move jeopardizes lifesaving research and violates the Administrative Procedure Act, as well as a prior congressional directive intended to protect research funding. Both Brown and Campbell emphasized the critical nature of this funding for scientific innovation and public health, particularly in states like Massachusetts, known for its leading research institutions. The lawsuit seeks a court order to halt the implementation of these funding cuts, which could have long-lasting consequences for biomedical research. This legal action adds to a series of challenges against various Trump administration policies by state attorneys general.