NIH Reinstates Scientist Placed on Leave for Criticizing the Agency

In June 2025, a group of scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) signed an open letter, known as "The Bethesda Declaration," expressing concern about political influence over their scientific work. A few months later, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ordered NIH to place one of the organizers of the effort, Dr. Jenna Norton, on leave. On February 2, 2026, Dr. Norton filed a whistleblower complaint alleging that HHS unlawfully retaliated against her and on May 4, 2026, Dr. Norton was reinstated in her position.