Jenna Norton
jenna-m-norton.bsky.social
Jenna Norton
@jenna-m-norton.bsky.social
Health Equity Scientist, Bethesda Declaration signer, work at NIH, speak in my personal capacity, photo: AP/Jose Luis Magana

Also on:
https://www.instagram.com/jmnorton
https://www.tiktok.com/@jennajmn

https://linktr.ee/declarationsofdissent
Pinned
I was honored to speak up with my colleagues from across the government to demand Congress fight for the American people.
"As a federal worker, I am here to tell you that 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."

youtu.be/jw93RKKreqY?...
Jenna Norton, PhD - (NIH, Bethesda Declaration organizer, mom) *speaking in her personal capacity
YouTube video by Civil Servants Coalition
youtu.be
Reposted by Jenna Norton
Hey fam, @27unihted.bsky.social is having a FUNDRAISER!!

Dec 12 7-11 pm, featuring THREE AWESOME BANDS

@allstrike.bsky.social
@ammoniteband.bsky.social
The Laterals

At Chacho Distilling Co
6031 Kansas Ave, DC
$10 at the door

Psst spread the word
November 19, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
Between the end of February and mid-August, funding ceased for 383 studies testing treatments for conditions including cancer, heart disease and brain disease. The cuts disproportionately impacted efforts to tackle infectious diseases like the flu, pneumonia and COVID.
apnews.com/article/nih-...
NIH funding cuts have affected over 74,000 people enrolled in experiments, a new report says
A new report finds over 74,000 people enrolled in experiments have been affected by the National Institutes of Health’s funding cuts.
apnews.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
Unreal, the impact this is having on scientists. I spent over 700 hrs writing 4 grants submitted Apr-Sept that *might* have been funded next Apr; 2 abt to be 3 apps missed review bc of shutdown. In normal times takes 9-24 mo to get a grant funded. No hope for labs like mine. Literally no hope.
While the government was shut down, 379 NIH study section meetings (containing 24,380 grant applications) were postponed. NIH is committed to getting these reviewed, but please be patient and understanding with staff, as this is a complex and heavy lift.
November 13, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
“If this administration thinks that summarily ousting NIH employees whose only offense is calling on the agency to respect science and academic freedom will go unnoticed, they can think again.”

www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murr...
Senator Murray Slams Outrageous Political Retaliation at NIH, Demands Answers from Trump Administration - Senator Patty Murray
Vice Chair Murray in June to NIH Director Bhattacharya: “You just received a letter signed by hundreds of your own staff who believe this administration’s actions risk breaking NIH and the lifesaving ...
www.murray.senate.gov
November 15, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
While the government was shut down, 379 NIH study section meetings (containing 24,380 grant applications) were postponed. NIH is committed to getting these reviewed, but please be patient and understanding with staff, as this is a complex and heavy lift.
November 13, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
A note about this quote attributed to an anonymous HHS official.

I have not asked HHS for comment on Jenna's leave status, but I'd be willing to bet good money this came from their comms office.

They have a habit of telling reporters — without any mutual agreement — things on background
An anonymous HHS official tells @sherylnyt.bsky.social why she was placed on leave:

Norton is "a radical leftist and said she was put on leave because she was criticizing the administration when she was supposed to be working."

(gift link)
N.I.H. Worker Who Criticized Trump Health Policies Says She Is on Administrative Leave
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
NEW: Jenna Norton, an NIH employee who is openly critical of Trump & RFK Jr, has been put on "non-disciplinary" administrative leave. She says the administration is trying to "scare and silence me." An HHS official, asked to comment, called her a radical leftist.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
N.I.H. Worker Who Criticized Trump Health Policies Says She Is on Administrative Leave
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
NIH program officer @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social has been placed on admin leave, sources say.

Norton has been outspoken about the Trump administration's dismantling of science, and she signed the Bethesda Declaration.

Bhattacharya has said that "science is dead without free speech".
November 13, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Can confirm. I am okay and more motivated than ever to speak up.

Nothing scares this administration more. Their power lies in our silence.
NIH program officer @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social has been placed on admin leave, sources say.

Norton has been outspoken about the Trump administration's dismantling of science, and she signed the Bethesda Declaration.

Bhattacharya has said that "science is dead without free speech".
November 14, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
@murray.senate.gov @cantwell.senate.gov please demand that @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social is reinstated! Bethesda Declaration signers were promised they'd not be targeted!
NIH program officer @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social has been placed on admin leave, sources say.

Norton has been outspoken about the Trump administration's dismantling of science, and she signed the Bethesda Declaration.

Bhattacharya has said that "science is dead without free speech".
November 13, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
@jenna-m-norton.bsky.social is a hero. We owe her a debt of gratitude. bsky.app/profile/dday...
According to a source, Jenna Norton, who led a letter criticizing Trump's decimation of the NIH (see below), has been placed on administrative leave. She's the first at NIH to be put on leave, joining EPA officials who criticized Trump policies.
www.pbs.org/newshour/nat...
NIH scientists publish letter criticizing Trump's deep cuts in public health research
The letter addresses the termination of 2,100 research grants valued at more than $12 billion and some of the human costs that have resulted, such as cutting off medication regimens to participants in...
www.pbs.org
November 13, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
I can further confirm that @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social is experiencing retaliation by “Free speech” Jay and the Trump administration.

@standupforscience.bsky.social stands with her and will continue to support public servants who speak out against the harms of this administration.
NIH program officer @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social has been placed on admin leave, sources say.

Norton has been outspoken about the Trump administration's dismantling of science, and she signed the Bethesda Declaration.

Bhattacharya has said that "science is dead without free speech".
November 13, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
"Trump’s HHS put me on “non-disciplinary” admin leave today. This was retaliation for speaking up. Moves like this are designed to silence us." www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
November 13, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
Jenna has been an inspiring colleague I’ve been honored to work alongside this year. It needs to be known after putting us through the longest shutdown (they say in official emails, “democrat-led” like how desperate), on Day 1 back to work they are putting people on admin leave again.
Trump’s HHS put me on “non-disciplinary” admin leave today. This was retaliation for speaking up. Moves like this are designed to silence us. Let’s not let.

www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
I guess I am hitting a nerve, because they just put me on admin leave.
TikTok video by Jenna
www.tiktok.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
According to a source, Jenna Norton, who led a letter criticizing Trump's decimation of the NIH (see below), has been placed on administrative leave. She's the first at NIH to be put on leave, joining EPA officials who criticized Trump policies.
www.pbs.org/newshour/nat...
NIH scientists publish letter criticizing Trump's deep cuts in public health research
The letter addresses the termination of 2,100 research grants valued at more than $12 billion and some of the human costs that have resulted, such as cutting off medication regimens to participants in...
www.pbs.org
November 14, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
Courage is contagious, and she has been an inspiration to many! It’s time to stand up for @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social!
Trump’s HHS put me on “non-disciplinary” admin leave today. This was retaliation for speaking up. Moves like this are designed to silence us. Let’s not let.

www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
I guess I am hitting a nerve, because they just put me on admin leave.
TikTok video by Jenna
www.tiktok.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
Stand with science, stand up for democracy, stand with Jenna. This is not okay, and this cannot be the norm!
Trump’s HHS put me on “non-disciplinary” admin leave today. This was retaliation for speaking up. Moves like this are designed to silence us. Let’s not let.

www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
I guess I am hitting a nerve, because they just put me on admin leave.
TikTok video by Jenna
www.tiktok.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
Thanks for continuing to speak out @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social. We will not be silenced.
Trump’s HHS put me on “non-disciplinary” admin leave today. This was retaliation for speaking up. Moves like this are designed to silence us. Let’s not let.

www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
I guess I am hitting a nerve, because they just put me on admin leave.
TikTok video by Jenna
www.tiktok.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
Today @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social was placed on administrative leave from her position at the NIDDK, NIH. We are extremely concerned and horrified at the actions of this adminstration and the NIH. Dr. Norton has been speaking out in her personal capacity about destruction occurring at the NIH.

🧵🧵🧵
November 14, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
And now this. A clear violation of free speech.

Jay Bhattacharya likes to talk about censorship, but he doesn’t actually care about censorship or free speech: he just wants to weaponize those principles to censor others. Like @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social
Trump’s HHS put me on “non-disciplinary” admin leave today. This was retaliation for speaking up. Moves like this are designed to silence us. Let’s not let.

www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
I guess I am hitting a nerve, because they just put me on admin leave.
TikTok video by Jenna
www.tiktok.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
This is not OK. @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social puts service as a priority. If whistleblowers are punished, know what comes next. #NIHStrong
🚨🚨 @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social is a force. Her voice carries power, truth, and courage—threats to the regime.

The only thing authoritarians fear more than a voice they cannot control is a chorus. So let’s give them one: speak up, speak loudly, and don’t stop. Stand with Jenna. ✊🇺🇸
Trump’s HHS put me on “non-disciplinary” admin leave today. This was retaliation for speaking up. Moves like this are designed to silence us. Let’s not let.

www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
November 14, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
NIDDK Program Officer @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social , Bethesda Declaration signer and outspoken advocate for science in the interests of the public not the politicians, was placed on administrative leave today. No reason was given. 1/4 www.instagram.com/reel/DRA3e8-...
Jenna Norton on Instagram: "I guess I hit a nerve because they just put me on “non disciplinary” admin leave. But let me be clear: this is retaliation for asserting my right to free speech guaranteed ...
Asserting your right to free speech in the workplace can be a daunting task, but one man's determination has put him in the spotlight. Hear his story and learn how to stand up for your rights in the f...
www.instagram.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Reposted by Jenna Norton
🚨🚨 @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social is a force. Her voice carries power, truth, and courage—threats to the regime.

The only thing authoritarians fear more than a voice they cannot control is a chorus. So let’s give them one: speak up, speak loudly, and don’t stop. Stand with Jenna. ✊🇺🇸
Trump’s HHS put me on “non-disciplinary” admin leave today. This was retaliation for speaking up. Moves like this are designed to silence us. Let’s not let.

www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
I guess I am hitting a nerve, because they just put me on admin leave.
TikTok video by Jenna
www.tiktok.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Trump’s HHS put me on “non-disciplinary” admin leave today. This was retaliation for speaking up. Moves like this are designed to silence us. Let’s not let.

www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
I guess I am hitting a nerve, because they just put me on admin leave.
TikTok video by Jenna
www.tiktok.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Proud and honored to be a part of this amazing community of people who care deeply about our communities and colleagues.

@27unihted.bsky.social
As many of you know, more than one million federal employees have been furloughed since October 1, 2025. However, we never stop serving the people, near and far. @27unihted.bsky.social has collected 2,000 pounds of food and $20,000 for DC area food banks. #FEDStrong #NIHStrong
November 13, 2025 at 1:25 AM