Attorney General Kris Mayes has initiated legal action against the Trump Administration, claiming illegalities in its approach to grant funding cuts and delays. The lawsuit, representing a coalition of 16 states and filed in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, alleges that the administration unlawfully disrupted National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants and deliberately delayed grant reviews.
Mayes voiced her concerns, stating, "The Trump Administration’s politically motivated attacks on critical medical and public health research are not only illegal but also profoundly dangerous." She emphasized the potential risks to scientific progress and public health in Arizona.
The lawsuit targets the administration's handling of NIH grant applications, which typically undergo a dual-review process. Recently, the administration has canceled review meetings and delayed scheduling new ones. Furthermore, NIH is accused of halting final decisions on already approved applications, affecting billions in requested research funding.
The plaintiffs also allege that NIH has rescinded previously issued grants for projects related to topics such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and vaccine hesitancy, citing altered agency priorities. Such actions have reportedly disrupted research activities in areas like cancer and infectious disease control.
Mayes and her fellow attorneys general argue these moves contravene statutory obligations and regulations, as well as exceed administrative authority regarding congressionally appropriated funds. The coalition seeks court intervention to ensure prompt review of outstanding grant applications and protection for awarded grants from termination.
This legal action follows an earlier lawsuit filed by Mayes and 22 other attorneys general against the administration over attempts to cut NIH grant reimbursements. A federal judge has already issued a preliminary injunction against these cuts.
The lawsuit was led by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, with support from other attorneys general, including those from California, Maryland, and Washington. Additional states participating include Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.