BETHESDA, Maryland — Jenna Norton, a program director at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was placed on paid leave after publicly criticizing the Trump administration’s handling of federal research funding and staffing. The agency’s human resources office said the action “is not being done for any disciplinary purpose,” but Norton believes it stems from her outspokenness about what she described as “the politicization of research.”
In June, Norton helped organize a call involving hundreds of NIH scientists who opposed deep cuts to funding and staffing that she says led to canceled studies and reduced safety for research participants. “I feel like I have this front row seat to the destruction of our democracy,” she told NPR.
The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees NIH, did not comment on the personnel matter but called Norton a “radical leftist” who “chooses to constantly criticize this administration.” Norton responded on TikTok, saying, “If it is radically leftist to believe NIH policies should not harm research participants, I’ll wear that label proudly.”
Her case is one of several involving federal employees placed on leave after criticizing policy decisions. The Federal Unionists Network reported that an Agriculture Department worker involved with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and union leader Ellen Mei also faced suspension after raising similar concerns.
Norton cited whistleblower protections and a 1968 Supreme Court ruling affirming federal employees’ right to speak on matters of public concern.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
