Jenna Norton is a program director at NIH's National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases. She filed a complaint with the US Office of Special Counsel for whistleblower rights violations after HHS and NIH placed her on indefinite administrative leave without explanation. She drew attention to the politicization of scientific research, the cancellation of legally approved and peer-reviewed grants, censorship of scientific integrity and risks to public health. She was involved in organizing NIH staff dissent, including drafting the "Bethesda Declaration" and public speaking engagements. The leave was imposed shortly after her public statement and lasts for more than 75 days. Democratic leaders in Congress say it's retaliation in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act and the First Amendment. An HHS official anonymously called Norton a "radical leftist" critic of the administration. Norton continues to protest NIH policies.