A vocal critic of Trump administration actions at the National Institutes of Health was abruptly placed on administrative leave this week.
Jenna Norton, a program official at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), was told Thursday she was being immediately placed on administrative leave with full pay. The email notifying her of the move, which she shared with STAT, did not provide a rationale for the decision.
“Effective November 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM EST, you will be placed on administrative leave with full pay and benefits. This administrative leave is not being done for any disciplinary purpose,” read the unsigned email sent to Norton Tuesday at 2:03 p.m. by the NIH human resources office. Her email access was also cut off.
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