Just three weeks after a prominent scientist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) lodged a formal whistle-blower complaint against the Trump administration, she was terminated by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. This dismissal was confirmed by her lawyer and the official termination letter.
This termination marks another instance in a pattern of actions by the Trump administration targeting government scientists and environmental specialists. These professionals had previously voiced concerns that various administration policies posed risks to public health and safety.
In her formal complaint, Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, who formerly led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, criticized the Trump administration. She alleged that their actions jeopardized research participants, disregarded court directives, and weakened crucial vaccine research efforts.
The complaint further details that Dr. Marrazzo was placed on involuntary administrative leave earlier this year after she initially voiced these concerns internally, prior to her recent termination.
On Thursday, Dr. Marrazzo confirmed that she received her termination notice from Mr. Kennedy this week, with the letter bearing the date of September 26.
The Health Secretary’s letter asserted his authority to appoint NIH directors. It explicitly stated, “Accordingly, in my capacity as secretary, I have decided to terminate your appointment as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.”
No further details were provided in the letter, and Dr. Marrazzo reported receiving no additional explanation for her dismissal. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services refused to comment on the matter, but previously dismissed the whistle-blower allegations as ‘false.’
Debra S. Katz, Dr. Marrazzo’s legal representative, issued a statement condemning the firing as an act of retaliation.
Ms. Katz asserted, “The Trump Administration terminated Dr. Marrazzo for her advocacy on behalf of critical health research and for her unwavering support of the extensive scientific evidence demonstrating that vaccines are safe and effective.”
This dismissal of the federal government’s former infectious disease research chief further depletes the scientific expertise within the Trump administration, specifically impacting vaccine and infectious disease specialists.
Earlier, in late August, several high-ranking officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — including those overseeing emerging diseases, respiratory illnesses, and vaccine recommendations — resigned following the termination of its director, Susan Monarez.
The Trump administration has also been criticized for stifling dissent among government scientists and environmental experts. Both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have suspended employees for voicing criticism against the administration’s new policies.
Despite these actions, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya previously vowed to foster an environment of open discussion, stating during his confirmation hearing that dissent is ‘the very essence of science.’
However, according to Ms. Katz, the NIH itself also engaged in retaliation against Dr. Marrazzo for her ‘protected whistle-blower activity.’
Dr. Marrazzo’s whistle-blower complaint was initially filed last month in conjunction with Dr. Kathleen Neuzil, who at the time served as the director of the NIH’s Fogarty International Center, a body dedicated to global health research.
In her part of the complaint, Dr. Neuzil also stated that she was removed from her position and placed on involuntary administrative leave. This occurred after she challenged what she perceived as hazardous and unscientific perspectives on vaccines gaining traction among NIH leadership, an institution renowned for its pioneering vaccine research.
Prior to formally submitting the whistle-blower complaint, Dr. Neuzil resigned, characterizing her departure as compelled by the agency’s failure to assign her any responsibilities. She has since taken on the role of director for polio eradication efforts at the Gates Foundation.
Last month, in response to the whistle-blower complaint from Dr. Marrazzo and Dr. Neuzil, the Health Department categorically rejected their claims that the administration’s NIH policies lacked scientific basis.
Andrew Nixon, a Health Department spokesman, stated, “Assertions that reprioritization, reallocation, or cancellation of certain grants are ‘anti-science’ misrepresent N.I.H.’s progress and often echo the grievances of former staff.”
Ms. Katz lamented that Dr. Marrazzo was left with ‘no real avenues of recourse’ following her termination, primarily because the Trump administration had ‘eviscerated’ the government agency tasked with protecting whistle-blowers.
In a public statement, Dr. Marrazzo appealed directly to Congress for intervention.
Dr. Marrazzo expressed her disappointment, stating, “My termination, unfortunately, shows that the leaders of H.H.S. and the National Institutes of Health do not share my commitment to scientific integrity and public health. Congress must act to protect scientific research from those who would serve political interests first.”