Researchers are suing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its director over the termination of at least 900 grants, with many focused on LGBTQ+ issues. The terminations were allegedly made in accordance with President Donald Trump’s administration, which has issued executive orders aimed at dismantling DEI initiatives. Scientists claim that these moves are a “reckless and illegal purge” of research that addresses topics they disfavor.
The lawsuit includes several plaintiffs, including Dr. Brittany Charlton, an associate professor who had her grants terminated due to allegedly not aligning with the NIH’s priorities. Charlton fears that the terminations will end her academic career and force her to shut down a center she founded focused on LGBTQ+ health research. The plaintiffs allege that the grant cancellations are unconstitutional and seek a preliminary injunction to halt further terminations.
The NIH has stated that it does not comment on ongoing litigation, while the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have also declined to comment. The terminations come after Trump’s administration issued guidance recognizing only two sexes and attempting to dismantle DEI initiatives.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/scientists-sue-nih-hhs-rfk-jr-termination-research/story?id=120467017