As the federal government faced an impending shutdown early last week, Jenna Norton took a stand outside the U.S. Capitol, urging lawmakers to resist the Trump administration's threats of mass layoffs. A federal worker and program director at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Norton voiced her concerns publicly, emphasizing the detrimental effects of a shutdown on essential programs and the American economy. "Every awful thing that would happen in a shutdown — shuttering programs that Americans rely on, damaging our economy, firing federal workers — all of this is already happening," she stated, highlighting the urgent need for congressional action.
Norton pointed out that the Supreme Court has largely permitted the Trump administration to advance its controversial agenda, leaving Congress as the last bastion to safeguard public services that Americans depend upon. "Congress is the only remaining chance we have to stop the gutting of public services Americans depend on," she declared. Now furloughed, Norton continues to call on lawmakers to reject any spending deal that perpetuates the current status quo. She urges them to assert their constitutional authority and take back control of government spending.
"They accepted a position of power and privilege of representing the American people," Norton explained in an interview with NPR. "If they're serious about doing that, they need to stand up and represent the American people and push back against a president who wants to be king."
As the shutdown progressed, an estimated 750,000 federal employees were furloughed, with many, including members of the U.S. military, working without pay. Despite President Trump's threats of mass layoffs and program cuts, there have been no confirmed layoffs directly related to the shutdown since congressional appropriations lapsed on October 1. However, many federal agencies have filed plans for reorganization and reductions in force due to previous executive orders.
Norton expressed her fears of potential layoffs or repercussions for speaking out as she continues to advocate for federal workers. The NIH has previously cautioned staff against discussing matters with the media, and many employees feel apprehensive about identifying themselves, fearing retaliation. Nonetheless, Norton believes it is her obligation to raise awareness about the dangers currently facing the government. "I feel like I have this front row seat to the destruction of our democracy," she lamented.
In her role at the NIH, Norton's work focuses on health disparities, managing research grants aimed at understanding why certain communities are disproportionately affected by kidney disease. She highlights that Black individuals are four times more likely to progress to end-stage kidney disease, necessitating costly interventions like dialysis or transplants, which are covered by Medicare.
Unfortunately, earlier this year, the Trump administration canceled hundreds of NIH grants as part of a broader initiative to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts across the government. Norton revealed that some grants were terminated due to their use of terms flagged by the administration, such as "structural racism." This led to legal challenges, with a U.S. District Judge ruling against the administration's actions as unlawful.
The legal battles continued as the Trump administration appealed the ruling, eventually bringing the case to the Supreme Court. Without hearing arguments, the court vacated key parts of the lower court's order, indicating that the grantees should have filed their case in a different court. This development has raised concerns about the future of funding for vital health research.
Norton also reported mass layoffs at the NIH, affecting approximately 1,300 employees. A lower court had found these layoffs likely illegal, but the Supreme Court allowed them to proceed temporarily. "This paved the way for a gutting of NIH's policy staff and communications teams," Norton noted, emphasizing the importance of open communication in public health.
As a reminder of her commitment to serving the Constitution, Norton wears friendship bracelets that spell out "Support the Constitution" and "NIH." These serve as a daily reminder of her duty to the American people. Despite the challenges she faces, including opposition from some members of her family who support Trump, Norton remains steadfast in her beliefs. "I understand that people who support Trump aren't bad people," she explains. "They want the same things that I want, including financial stability and opportunities for their kids."
Ultimately, Norton hopes for a future where her children can freely express their thoughts without fear of retribution, a right she believes is increasingly at risk under the current administration.
