Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside attorneys general from 15 other states, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Together, they challenge the administration's decision to terminate and withhold medical and public health research grants. These grants are critical for advancing the United States' understanding of human disease and treatments.

Attorney General Bonta expressed concern over the administration's actions, stating, “In their unlawful withholding and terminating of medical and public health research grants, the Trump Administration is upending not only the critical work being done today, but the promise of progress for future generations.” He emphasized the importance of these grants in supporting jobs and economic activity in California. In 2024, for instance, NIH grants and contracts contributed to over 55,000 jobs and over $13 billion in economic activity within the state.

Michael V. Drake, M.D., president of the University of California, praised the American research enterprise, noting its global significance: "The American research enterprise is the most successful, important, and impactful in the world." Additionally, Ganesh Raman, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research at California State University, argued that "terminating these federal grants will cause irreparable harm, undermine scientific progress and our collective capacity to innovate and lead California’s economy.”

NIH is a vital federal agency responsible for biomedical and public health research. It has historically impacted public health significantly, with developments such as the rubella vaccine and treatments for HIV/AIDS. The lawsuit filed by the coalition of states claims that the Trump Administration acted arbitrarily and capriciously by freezing and terminating grants, which include those involving diversity and perceived connections to disfavored topics like "transgender issues" and "vaccine hesitancy."

Attorney General Bonta and his colleagues aim to secure a temporary restraining order to restore funding rapidly. The lawsuit argues that the administration does not possess the authority to prevent the disbursement of congressionally appropriated funds. Massachusetts, Maryland, and Washington's attorneys general co-lead the legal action, joined by representatives from Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

The lawsuit follows a prior legal move in February where Bonta challenged the Trump Administration's attempt to cut indirect cost reimbursements across research institutions nationwide.