16 States Sue Trump Administration Over NIH Funding Cuts

A coalition of 16 states, led by California and Massachusetts, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for unlawfully terminating millions in National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant funding crucial for medical research. The NIH has canceled grants for projects deemed misaligned with its priorities, impacting studies on diversity, LGBTQ health, and vaccine hesitancy without clear justification. The lawsuit alleges that this disruption has severely hampered ongoing research efforts and called for the restoration of funding and fair evaluation of pending applications. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown emphasized that the cuts jeopardize public health and undermine scientific progress, while Massachusetts AG Andrea Joy Campbell highlighted the negative impact on job creation and medical advancements. This legal action comes amid broader cuts from the Trump administration to public health funding, including substantial layoffs and reductions in COVID-19 related support that are also being challenged in separate lawsuits by various states. The coalition seeks to compel the administration to adhere to statutory obligations regarding grant funding and to halt the termination of already awarded grants.