NIH Program Director Placed on Leave Amid Shutdown Criticism of Trump Administration

Jenna Norton, a program director at the National Institutes of Health, has been placed on paid leave following the end of the 43-day government shutdown. According to Norton, she was not given a reason for being put on leave, but she suspects it is related to her public criticism of the Trump administration's policies. Norton, who has been a vocal critic of the administration's deep funding and staffing cuts, expressed her concerns in an interview with NPR in early October. She stated that the cuts have created a situation where the National Institutes of Health is struggling to carry out its mission. "I believe the Trump administration's policies have put the health and well-being of Americans at risk," Norton said in the interview. In a video posted to TikTok, Norton revealed that she had been put on leave after the shutdown ended. She stated that she was not given any explanation for the decision, but she suspected that it was due to her public criticism of the administration's policies. "I strongly suspect it is because I have been speaking up in my personal capacity about the harms that I have been witnessing inside the National Institutes of Health," Norton said. The National Institutes of Health has not publicly commented on Norton's situation. However, a spokesperson for the agency stated that the decision to place Norton on leave was made in accordance with federal personnel policies. Norton is not the only federal employee who has been critical of the Trump administration's policies. Several other employees have spoken out against the administration's deep funding and staffing cuts, which they say have had a negative impact on the government's ability to carry out its mission. The Trump administration has defended its policies, stating that they are necessary to reduce the federal budget and promote efficiency. However, critics argue that the cuts have had a disproportionate impact on certain agencies and programs, including the National Institutes of Health. As for Norton's current status, she remains on paid leave pending further action. The National Institutes of Health has not indicated when or if she will return to work. The situation highlights the challenges faced by federal employees who speak out against their administration's policies, and the potential consequences of doing so. In a statement, a spokesperson for the National Institutes of Health said that the agency is committed to upholding the principles of federal personnel policies and ensuring that all employees are treated fairly and without bias. However, the spokesperson declined to comment further on Norton's situation, citing personnel confidentiality.