A Scientist Speaks Out: The Norton Case and Public Science

Jenna Norton is a program director at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of NIH. She has spoken publicly about the Trump administration's funding cuts and helped organize the Bethesda Declaration in June 2025, which had 92 named signers and 250 anonymous supporters.

In November 2025 Norton was placed on administrative leave with full pay and benefits, and her government email access was cut off. The HR notice said the leave was not disciplinary, while HHS described her as a "radical leftist" who "chooses to constantly criticize this administration, even when she is supposed to be working." Norton posted a video on TikTok saying she was not given a reason for the leave.

Many scientists have warned that deep cuts and canceled grants harm research participants and future discoveries, and some NIH workers publicly dissent. Although Norton said speaking up carried risk, she said she felt she had to act for patients and colleagues. Her case has raised questions in Congress and inspired a petition asking for her reinstatement. Many local and national outlets covered the story.