Press Release  AG Campbell Secures Nationwide Preliminary Injunction Against Trump Administration For Defunding Medical And Public Health Innovation Research

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and a coalition of 21 other attorneys general have secured a nationwide preliminary injunction in Massachusetts v. NIH. The order prevents the Trump Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from cutting billions of dollars in funds that support cutting-edge medical and public health research at universities and research institutions across the country, regardless of whether their states have joined the lawsuit. 

“This is a major win for research institutions across the country – in both red and blue states – that rely on NIH funding to conduct innovative research, as well as for the individuals and families who depend on these medical advancements to improve and even save their lives,” said AG Campbell. “We will not play politics with our residents’ public health, and we do this work to protect our residents, including children, regardless of their party or demographic.” 

The preliminary injunction protects critical funds that facilitate biomedical research, like lab, faculty, infrastructure, and utility costs. Without them, the lifesaving and life-changing medical research in which the United States – and Massachusetts, in particular – has long been a leader, could be compromised.  

On February 10, less than six hours after AG Campbell and the coalition filed their lawsuit against the Administration, a judge in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order against NIH, barring its attempts to cut the critical research funding. Today’s order takes the place of the temporary restraining order and prevents the Trump Administration from cutting this important category of funding as the case proceeds. It will remain in effect until a final ruling is made. 

The NIH is the primary source of federal funding for medical research in the United States. Medical research funding by NIH grants have led to innumerable scientific breakthroughs, including the discovery of treatment for cancers of all types and the first sequencing of DNA. Additionally, dozens of NIH-supported scientists have earned Nobel Prizes for their groundbreaking scientific work. 

This lawsuit is being co-led by the attorneys general of Massachusetts, Illinois, and Michigan. Joining this coalition are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. 

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