Sixteen state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the cancellation of research grants by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The legal action, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, claims the cancellations are unlawful and accuses the administration of causing intentional and unreasonable delays in the grant application process.
The lawsuit names several defendants, including the NIH, nearly all of its 27 institutes and centers, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
In response, the NIH told ABC News it does not comment on ongoing litigation, while the HHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of the plaintiffs, issued a statement criticizing the administration’s actions.
“Once again, the Trump administration is putting politics over public health and endangering lives in the process,” she said. “Millions rely on our nation’s research institutions to develop treatments and cures for devastating illnesses.”
James added, “Cutting these funds is a direct attack on science, public health, and medical innovation. We’re suing to restore these essential funds because the people of New York—and the entire country—deserve better.”
According to the lawsuit, the NIH has canceled more than 900 active research grants in recent weeks, many of which involved topics such as LGBTQ+ health, gender identity, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
An NIH official familiar with the issue told ABC News that the terminated grants are valued in the millions of dollars.
Termination letters obtained by ABC News explain the NIH’s rationale, stating that research centered on gender identity is often “unscientific,” lacks measurable return on investment, and does not align with the agency’s health priorities.
The letters claim such studies often ignore biological realities and do not fit within the administration’s goals, making them ineligible for continued funding.
The attorneys general warn that unless these terminations are reversed, they could result in significant and irreversible damage to public research institutions.
They are requesting both a preliminary and permanent injunction to stop the terminations and compel the NIH to review pending applications.
Earlier in the week, a separate group of researchers whose grants were canceled also filed a lawsuit against the NIH, HHS, Bhattacharya, and Kennedy, aiming to halt additional cancellations.
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