Black Women AGs Lead Charge Against Trump Admin’s Attack On Public Health

Depending on your perspective, New York State Attorney General Letitia “Tish” James is either the gift that keeps on giving or one of the biggest thorns in Trump’s side. 14 other state attorneys joined James and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell general in taking action against the Trump administration’s termination of NIH grants. 

Only hours after the filing Friday, a federal judge in Massachusetts awarded a permanent injunction in favor of the coalition, ruling that the NIH must continue funding grants at previously agreed levels. 

Prior to the judge’s swift decision, James released a statement calling out the Trump administration for putting “politics before public health.” NIH funding cuts include investments for improving long standing health disparities and improving equity in treatment. This included taking back grants already issued, delaying meetings and decisions on pending grant applications, and not issuing final recommendations. 

“Millions of Americans depend on our nation’s research institutions for treatments and cures to the diseases that devastate families every day,” James said. “The decision to cut these funds is an attack on science, public health, and medical innovation – and I won’t stand for it.”

Even though she represents the interest of the people of New York, James said the entire nation deserved “better.” 

“Not only do our public research institutions rely on NIH funding for their groundbreaking research, job creation and academic competitiveness, but our residents depend on these studies to propel lifesaving medical advancements,” Campbell said in a statement.  “I won’t allow the Trump Administration to take unlawful actions that play politics with our public health.”  

The ACLU has also sued the NIH for what it calls an “ideological purge” of research projects. While the courts alone will not save us from the damage of Trump 2.0, the legal efforts have the potential to frustrate the implementation of at least some of the drastic policies. Reports indicate there are well over 100 lawsuits challenging the Trump administration including another suit filed last week over the loss of public health funding against the Department of Health and Human Services and new HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  This includes over $1 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

Both James and Campbell have been a part of the group of Democratic state attorneys general who fight back against extremist executive orders such as the recent attempt to seize control over federal elections. 

A day before the NIH suit, Campbell called out the Trump administration’s effort to pre-emptively target future federal elections. The executive order on elections comes amid Trump’s claim of possibly pursuing a third term.  

“Elections should be free, fair and accessible,”Campbell said. “We will not stand by while the President tries to impose unlawful barriers to the ballot box.” 

SEE ALSO: 

Trump Administration Sued By 23 States, DC Over Slashed Health Funding

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