For over a century, academic research has been at the center of advancing society. From widespread vaccinations that have saved thousands of lives to attracting students from across the globe to obtain an education and work at premier research centers here in the U.S., we have accomplished a lot through research. However, the research process is timely and expensive— these accomplishments are largely supported by federal funding. Unfortunately, with inadequate leaders in research, health and academics today, that same sought-after American education is under attack.
Within the first 90 days of his presidency, President Donald Trump initiated the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) aimed at cutting unnecessary federal funding. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “There should be no secret about the fact that this administration is committed to cutting waste, fraud, and abuse.” Some of these actions to maximize efficiency include an executive order to dissolve the Department of Education, cutting funding and forcing staff consolidation in several Centers for Disease Control (CDC) departments. However, in response to the wrongful termination of CDC and Health and Human Services (HHS) workers who were then re-offered their positions shortly after, “That was always the plan…Part of the DOGE—is we’re going to do 80% cuts, but 20% of those are going to have to be reinstalled, because we’ll make mistakes,” claimed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
My question is: What about immunology, cancer research and scientific discovery is wasteful, fraudulent or abusive? Does this administration understand the larger impact of their actions? The true fraud here is having novices in their respective fields holding office who waste time and resources when they haphazardly fire and subsequently rehire some of our nation’s brightest thinkers.
Additionally, Trump’s general DOGE plans include screening each draft notice from the National Institute of Health (NIH) to ensure projects funded align with the Trump Administration’s values. The NIH is the world’s largest funder of cancer and biomedical research. The money the federal government grants to them is crucial, and some researchers worry not only about American citizens losing their jobs but also the future of research in the U.S. Trump’s previously mentioned executive order to dissolve the Department of Education could target schools across the nation. In the U.S., academic institutions are responsible for 10 to 15% of research and development (R&D), which includes half of all basic research.
But this is not the only way the Trump administration could hurt higher education. They have enacted policies toward dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and rescinding federal funding to institutions whose students protest the administration’s beliefs.
The NIH, due to Trump’s actions, has halted substantial amounts of overhead funding for public and private university research. This has already impacted schools like Columbia University, hoping to regain $400 million, the University of Pennsylvania losing $175 million, and Harvard losing $2.2 billion already in public opposition to the Trump administration. In Georgia alone, Emory University has estimated to lose $140 million in response to the changes. The University of Georgia, Morehouse College and even the Institute are also premier research institutions that face major research budget cuts as a result of NIH developments. Morehouse maintains that “This decision will significantly impact medical research across the country, potentially limiting our ability to develop new treatments and innovations that benefit all Americans.”
These NIH cuts prepare the country to face an estimated $16 billion in economic loss and the elimination of over 60,000 jobs. This can’t be the efficiency our officials are talking about, can it? Not only do these cuts help facilitate an economic disaster, but they imply an attack on knowledge. In an open letter drafted by nearly 2000 researchers in the US, scientists urge the Trump administration to “cease its wholesale assault on U.S. science,” claiming that we must protect scientific inquiry and avoid engaging in censorship. These researchers remind the administration that we are in the midst of a climate crisis, on the verge of vaccine safety and economic research that cannot be conducted without the proper financial support. America’s future leaders are her students, from the high schoolers to the graduate students. They are the next scientists, innovators, and intellectuals to cure cancer, defend our country, and expand our technological influence. We simply cannot succeed under a government that strips us of these necessary resources.
This is a threat not only to colleges and universities, but to the foundation of our democracy. As of today, the U.S. takes the global lead in biomedical research. In light of these self-inflicted wounds, who is to say if the U.S. can maintain the title? This current administration’s actions in respect to the students of our nation is an attack on our constitutionally protected rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
If we continue to let this administration go unchecked, not only do we fail our scientists of today, but we also fail our citizens of the future. Historically, students have been at the forefront of change and the most vocal members of society. I often think back to Tiananmen Square, Kent State and Parkland, all major student-led demonstrations inciting major change, some of which we have seen in our lifetimes.
As a student, I feel compelled to fight for the America that we so rightfully deserve. As a human, I’m saddened at the idea that we are regressing as a society. Despite all odds, Americans have continued to persevere. Students, do not be discouraged by the state of our country today — if we lose hope, we lose our power. I challenge you all to use your voice, to stand on the right side of history and fight for an America that benefits us all. Remember, the pursuit of education is our greatest act of resistance.