Overview
- Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo filed a federal lawsuit on Dec. 16 alleging she was illegally terminated after warning that abrupt NIH research cuts endangered patients and public health.
- According to the suit, she was placed on leave in the spring, filed a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel in September, spoke publicly to CBS News, and was fired in October by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- She seeks reinstatement and argues internal whistleblower venues cannot fairly adjudicate her claim under the current administration.
- A recent report cited by the Associated Press said NIH reductions totaled billions of dollars, bypassed usual peer-review processes, and affected clinical trials involving more than 74,000 participants.
- Her complaint highlights disputes over vaccine research and quotes alleged comments by Dr. Matthew Memoli downplaying vaccines, while HHS declined detailed comment on the suit and said Memoli aligns with the administration's vaccine priorities.