## NIH’s Former Head Sounds the Alarm: Trump’s Science ‘Slash-and-Burn’ Left America Behind
Remember the days when scientific progress felt unstoppable? When groundbreaking discoveries were celebrated and research was championed? Francis Collins, the longtime director of the National Institutes of Health, doesn’t. In a recent interview with STAT News, he unleashes a scathing critique of the Trump administration’s treatment of science agencies, calling their approach a “slash-and-burn” assault that jeopardized America’s leadership in research.
Harm to the Research Enterprise: The long-term consequences of the Trump administration’s policies
Francis Collins, the former director of the National Institutes of Health, excoriated the Trump administration’s efforts to upend federal scientific agencies, saying the logic behind the moves “escapes any possible explanation.” Speaking on a panel about trust in science and scientific institutions, Collins also expressed a degree of regret for public health officials’ failure to explain their own uncertainty and the fast-changing landscape during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Collins’ remarks came during a panel at the Milken Institute Global Conference 2025, a major gathering in Los Angeles attended by scientists, policymakers, advocacy group leaders, and journalists, among others. The panel also included Rick Berke, STAT’s executive editor.
Lessons Learned from the Covid-19 Pandemic
Communication Failures: Collins’ regret over not explaining uncertainty and the fast-changing landscape
Collins acknowledged that presidential transitions often entail “some bumps.” But he called the Trump administration’s current incursion into the day-to-day operations of scientific agencies, and the 40% cut it has proposed to NIH’s budget next year, “devastating” to the U.S. research enterprise.
Collins and other panelists acknowledged shortcomings in the way that many public health experts have communicated information to the public in recent years, and especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Analysis and Implications
The Devastating Effect of Trump’s Cuts: Collins’ assessment of the damage to the research enterprise
“The leaders who are forced to implement this are totally demoralized,” Collins said. “I am. So are the six institute directors at NIH who have been let go in the course of the last couple of months for no justification whatsoever. … It is particularly hard for young scientists to look at the situation and see whether there’s a future for them anymore.”
Collins and other panelists acknowledged shortcomings in the way that many public health experts have communicated information to the public in recent years, and especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Future of Science in America: The implications for young scientists and the future of American research
Collins and other panelists acknowledged shortcomings in the way that many public health experts have communicated information to the public in recent years, and especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, Collins emphasized the importance of science in policy-making, stressing that scientists must be at the table in policy decisions.
The Importance of Science in Policy-Making: The need for scientists to be at the table in policy decisions
Collins emphasized the importance of science in policy-making, stressing that scientists must be at the table in policy decisions.
Collins also highlighted the need for transparency in science, stating that scientists must be open and honest about their research and its limitations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the article highlights the scathing criticism directed at the Trump administration by Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), over its handling of science agencies. Collins lamented the “slash-and-burn” approach, which has led to significant budget cuts, demoralization of scientists, and erosion of public trust in science community. The administration’s actions have far-reaching implications, hindering progress in critical areas such as climate change, infectious diseases, and mental health. The significance of this issue cannot be overstated. The Trump administration’s actions threaten to undermine decades of scientific progress, compromise public health, and cede America’s leadership in scientific innovation. Moreover, the politicization of science has dire consequences, as it can lead to the suppression of inconvenient truths and the perpetuation of misinformation. As we move forward, it is essential to recognize the value of scientific evidence in informing policy decisions and to hold elected officials accountable for their actions. As Collins so aptly put it, “Science is not a partisan issue.” The future of scientific progress, public health, and our collective well-being hangs in the balance. Ultimately, it is our responsibility to ensure that science remains a beacon of truth, untainted by political ideology.