A federal judge in Massachusetts has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the National Institutes of Health (NIH), preventing the organization from proceeding with planned funding cuts to medical and public health research. This decision follows a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Charity Clark, along with 21 other attorneys general, challenging the Trump Administration's attempt to reduce NIH grants.
The TRO was granted less than six hours after the legal action was initiated. It temporarily halts any efforts by the NIH to enforce funding reductions across U.S. research institutions within the plaintiff states until further court orders are issued.
Attorney General Clark commented on the situation, stating, "This attempt by the Trump administration to claw back federal funding already appropriated by Congress is yet another blatant example of his disregard for the separation of powers and the limits of Presidential authority." She further emphasized that "President Trump isn’t trying to save taxpayers’ money – he’s trying to expand his powers and make billionaires richer."
The case highlights ongoing tensions between state attorneys general and federal policies under President Trump's administration regarding budget allocations for scientific research.