The Disruptions at NIH: Why RFK Jr.’s HHS Nomination Matters

Since taking office four days ago, the Trump administration has made several moves that have caused chaos and confusion throughout our health agencies and scientific research institutions.

On Tuesday, President Trump implemented a temporary hiring freeze across federal agencies, which is not unusual during an administrative transition. However, he also issued a sweeping order to halt all external communication from health agencies. This freeze includes health advisories, scientific reports, website updates, social media posts, press releases, regulatory announcements, and other forms of public communication. While such a review period is not unprecedented, the scope of this directive is highly unusual and has raised significant concerns.

Health experts and advocacy groups warn that this policy could delay critical health alerts, such as food recalls, disease outbreak notifications, and other urgent public health warnings, and limit the public’s access to accurate and timely health information.

But the situation at the NIH is even more concerning.

The NIH is the country's premier medical research institution and one of the largest funders of biomedical research in the world. Its mission is to advance our understanding of diseases, develop new treatments, and improve public health outcomes. The agency funds over 300,000 researchers across universities and institutions, supporting studies on cancer, infectious diseases, neurological disorders, mental health, and chronic illnesses.

This week, the Trump administration ordered the cancellation and halting of NIH study sections—panels of expert reviewers essential for evaluating grant applications and approving research funding. Without study sections, the NIH cannot distribute funding for new or ongoing research projects.

The consequences of this, depending on the length, could be devastating to research budgets at universities, leaving thousands of scientists and projects without funding.

• University Research Budgets: A prolonged halt could leave thousands of scientists and projects without funding, jeopardizing research efforts nationwide.

• Health Research Delays: Vital studies on chronic disease, infectious disease, and mental health will be delayed or canceled, hindering progress in critical areas.

• Scientific Workforce: Young researchers and early-career scientists are particularly vulnerable, as their careers rely heavily on grant funding.

• Impact on medical advancements: The halt could delay or prevent groundbreaking discoveries in areas like cancer treatments, vaccines, and precision medicine, slowing progress in addressing life-threatening diseases.

• Loss of long term data: Many studies rely on long-term, continuous funding to collect meaningful data over time and disruptions could jeopardize these datasets.

This is in addition to a potential loss of status as a global leader in biomedical research and innovation, an erosion of public trust in science and federally funded research, a loss of future talent due to uncertainty or lack of funding in research and academia, and a loss of jobs across various sectors.

Scientists I’ve spoken with are disheartened, anxious, and unsure of what this means for the future of science and public health in the U.S.

Why Is This Happening?

There has been little communication from the Trump administration about the reasoning behind these moves, adding to the sense of chaos and uncertainty. To many scientists, this lack of transparency feels deliberate, as though the confusion is part of a broader strategy.

What’s puzzling is that while President Trump has previously criticized organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), initiating a U.S. withdrawal earlier this week, he has not historically targeted the NIH. However, his pick for Secretary of HHS, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has made his intentions toward the NIH clear.

RFK Jr., who has no formal education in science, research, or healthcare, has been a vocal critic of the NIH. He has stated his desire to “shake up” the institution by reprioritizing its research focus. Speaking to an anti-vaccine group in November 2023, RFK Jr. stated “I’m gonna say to NIH scientists, ‘God bless you all. Thank you for public service. We’re going to give infectious disease a break for about eight years.”

His plans reportedly include firing hundreds of NIH employees and shifting research funding away from infectious disease to focus on chronic illnesses, which experts warn could reduce our preparedness for emerging infectious diseases, exacerbate global health crises of antimicrobial resistance, and be devastating for high-risk populations.

Because of this, it seems likely that the current cancellations and disruptions at the NIH are being carried out at RFK Jr.’s request.

The Opposition to RFK Jr. as HHS Secretary

RFK Jr.’s controversial views and anti-science rhetoric have long alarmed the scientific and medical communities, but especially recently, as it became more apparent that he may take over the largest and most influential health agency in the world. In December 2024, 77 Nobel laureates signed a public letter warning that RFK Jr.’s leadership at HHS would “jeopardize U.S. public health” and urging the Senate to reject his nomination. More recently, over 15,000 doctors and health professionals signed an opposition letter echoing these concerns.

The date for vetting that nomination has been set for January 29 when RFK Jr. will testify before the Senate Finance Committee attempting to assuage any concerns senators may have about his nomination and his capacity to lead HHS.

What Can We Do?

1. Contact Your Senators:

• Especially those on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, which oversees HHS confirmations and the Senate Finance Committee that will vote on the nomination.

• Politely but firmly express your concerns about RFK Jr.’s nomination, citing his lack of qualifications and his anti-science rhetoric. I’ve included a sample letter at the end of this article.

2. Sign Opposition Letters:

• If you are a medical professional, sign the public letters organized by advocacy groups opposing RFK Jr.’s confirmation.

3. Raise Awareness:

• Share information on social media to help educate the public about the potential consequences of RFK Jr.’s leadership at HHS.

• Amplify the voices of experts and organizations opposing his nomination.

Final Thoughts

The current disruptions at the NIH and other health agencies highlight the importance of public engagement in shaping the direction of our nation’s health policies. RFK Jr.’s stated goals for the NIH could fundamentally shift its mission, potentially slowing the progress of research that improves lives. This is an opportunity for the Senate to hear from scientists, health professionals, and concerned citizens about the critical role evidence-based leadership plays in advancing public health. Your voice can make a difference in ensuring the future of scientific research and healthcare remains strong.

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Sample Letter to senator:

Dear Senator [Your Senator],

My name is [Your Name]. I am [Position]. I am a lifelong resident of [State]. [Add additional information about yourself if desired].

I am writing to you regarding President Donald Trump’s intent to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the position of Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. The intent of this letter is to implore you to vote no to this confirmation. The U.S. Senate serves an important role in the checks and balances system that our Founding Fathers organized. This includes ensuring that the President appoints qualified individuals to Cabinet positions.

RFK Jr. has repeatedly regurgitated conspiracies that contradict well-established science regarding health and medicine. I do not believe his views align with the core mission of the DHHS, to “enhance the health and well-being of Americans”. [Add a short, one-sentence spiel about how this affects you or your personal opinion as a person in public health].

Senator [Name], I respectfully ask that you use your power in the United States Senate to protect the health and well-being of the citizens of the State of [State] by voting no to the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the DHHS.

I would appreciate your response on this matter. I am available via email at [Email] or by physical mail at [Address].

Thank you for your time and consideration,

[Your name]