NIH Vigils Newsletter 10/27/2025
NIH Vigil - No Kings Edition
The Vigil on October 18, 2025, was a combined event with No Kings Day. It was organized by 27 uNIHted and NIH Vigils, in partnership with Science and Freedom Alliance, an Indivisible group in Bethesda, and the Maryland Chapter of Stand Up for Science. An estimated 650 attendees participated in the following rally activities:
A food drive to support Manna Food Center, with more than 500 pounds of food collected.
Speakers and special guests including:
Anna Culbertson (emcee, illegally RIFed NIH employee, and founder of 27 uNIHted)
Chris Van Hollen (U.S. Senator)
Angela Alsobrooks (U.S. Senator)
Sara Love (Maryland Senator)
Sara Teichholtz (former clinical trial patient and cancer survivor)
Mark Histed (NIH researcher)
Kalynda Gonzales Stokes (NIH program officer)
Marla (NIH Vigils attendee, person with autism, cancer survivor)
Mollie Manier (NIH scientific review officer)
Recitation of the Oath of Office
Live music by Allstrike
Food by The Burger Coach
The No Kings NIH Vigil was a huge success and got ample news coverage. We are especially grateful to Beth Rogers, one of the leaders of an Indivisible group in Bethesda, who really drummed up support and attendance. Visit this linktree to further explore NIH Vigils partners and activities.
Kyle Walsh - New NIEHS Director
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has a new director, selected in a peculiar and unusual way. The appointment bypassed standard procedure, without a national search or vetting as is typical at NIH. Kyle Walsh, the new director is a close friend of Vice-President J.D. Vance, raising questions of political cronyism.
Feds on the Hill
The Federal Unionists Network (FUN) met with Mark Bussow, Senior Advisor in Senator Maggie Hassan’s office, during the “DMV Shutdown: Showdown” on Capitol Hill. Federal employees shared challenges such as staff cuts, program terminations, illegal grant reviews for banned words, and trainee struggles at the NIH. Bussow stressed the importance of hearing directly from agencies, noted the Senator's openness to solutions, and encouraged ongoing dialogue.
Defending Government Oversight
On Oct. 1, the White House shut down websites for 28 Offices of the Inspector General (OIG), which provide oversight to federal agencies across the government. This website shutdown was not related to the government shutdown, because the funding for these websites is appropriated separately. Democrats on the House Committee for the Judiciary created a resource repository website to support the public’s ability to continue to access the Inspector Generals’ reports and findings and to submit whistleblower tips.
Public Health Under Attack at the State Level
State legislatures have introduced hundreds of “anti-science” bills. These bills—driven largely by misinformation—target vaccination, fluoridation of public water, and food coloring. In conjunction with the attacks on the NIH and CDC, these bills further undermine scientific expertise and pose significant risk to the nation’s health and health infrastructure.
Russell Vought - Shadow President?
A deep dive article by Propublica claims Vought has consolidated power to an unprecedented extent, with administration insiders claiming he is a de facto Commander-in-Chief and the key person in executing this administration's policies. As the architect of the transition, Vought leads the implementation of the radical plans outlined in Project 2025: gut federal agencies,traumatize civil servants, and centralize power in the presidency, slashing federal spending, staffing and services to the American public.
Mutual Aid Resources
27 uNIHted is compiling a nationwide list of mutual aid resources for federal workers. If you learn of resources, please submit them!
Please feel free to share this information with people and groups you think would be interested.
Keep up the good trouble, and stay safe out there.
In solidarity,
NIH Vigils
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m., Medical Center Metro Station in front of the NIH Visitors Center.
Accessible parking is available at the Park and Ride. We recommend taking the Metro in. There is ample free parking at Grosvenor/Strathmore station one stop away.