‘Bad DOG(GI)E'
WASHINGTON WATCH
Scientists, researchers and patient advocates have turned out for demonstrations in cities nationwide to protest the Trump administration's research cuts and firings at federal health and science agencies.
In Washington, a crowd gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial on Friday with signs advocating for scientific research and deriding billionaire Elon Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency campaign to root out government waste prompted the firing of thousands of federal health workers last month.
Some memorable slogans: 'Tesla was named after a scientist,' 'Bad DOG(GI)E' and 'Trust science not sociopaths.'
Dr. Francis Collins, who was director of the National Institutes of Health for 12 years and spearheaded the Human Genome Project, took the microphone to defend the agency as an economic powerhouse with globally envied achievements — not an enemy.
'I'm a patriot. I love my country, and I'm worried about my country right now,' Collins, who unexpectedly retired the previous week, told the crowd. Collins, who ran a lab at the NIH after he stepped down as director, gave no reason for his retirement.
Agencies could be more efficient, he allowed, but NIH's success until now was possible only because Congress and Republicans supported it.
'Interventions need to be made with full understanding of the whole ecosystem,' Collins said. 'While moving fast and breaking things might be an appropriate mantra for Silicon Valley, a better mantra when the decisions will potentially disrupt an institution with a stunningly positive track record and affect the future health of the nation, let's go with: First, do no harm.'
Why it matters: The NIH has been in the Trump administration's crosshairs since the president took office in January.
In addition to firing roughly 1,200 NIH workers, the administration has moved to eliminate projects related to race and gender and cut research funding. Last month, the NIH tried to slash agency funding that supports grantees' administration and facilities expenses, a cost-cutting measure that would strip $4 billion from universities and grantees.
The move has since been blocked by the courts.
On Monday, Harvard announced a temporary hiring freeze, citing 'substantial financial uncertainties' as administrators wait to see how federal policy changes take shape.
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POLITICO's Daniel Lippman has learned that Department of Health and Human Services' chief technology officer Alicia Rouault was removed in January, according to a person familiar with the matter. Ruth reported in February that Rouault, chief AI officer Meghan Dierks and chief data officer Kristen Honey, were put on administrative leave shortly after they were hired in January. Know more? Reach out to Ruth.
Share any thoughts, news, tips and feedback with Carmen Paun at cpaun@politico.com, Daniel Payne at dpayne@politico.com, Ruth Reader at rreader@politico.com, or Erin Schumaker at eschumaker@politico.com.
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THE LAB
Plant-based oils might be a healthier alternative to butter, according to new research published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
The study — from researchers at Harvard, MIT, Mass General Brigham and VA Boston Health Care, among others — followed more than 220,000 people over nearly three decades.
Higher intake of canola, soybean and olive oils was associated with lower mortality, the study found.
When the researchers modeled the effects of replacing butter with plant-based oils in a daily diet, they saw a 17 percent lower risk of death.
Those with the highest intake levels of plant oils saw a 16 percent lower risk of death compared with those with the lowest intake.
By contrast, those in the cohort with the highest butter intake had a 15 percent higher risk of total mortality than those with the lowest intake.
Why it matters: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' movement has a large number of acolytes who argue seed oils, a subset of plant-based oils, cause inflammation and have praised butter or tallow as healthier alternatives.
Messaging and policy decisions around the role of fats in Americans' diets are particularly important — given that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.
Even so: Some experts and health care providers have quietly supported the MAHA movement's focus on diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors in addressing chronic diseases — even if they worry the movement also contributes to mistrust in solid health information.
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Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
US Allies Wary of Buying American as They Plan Defense Buildup
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Politico
28 minutes ago
- Politico
How Trump could get his July 4 megabill
Presented by IN TODAY'S EDITION:— When the Senate might vote on the megabill— Lawmakers consider Kaine's Iran resolution— Possible federal pension changes incoming Republicans' 'big, beautiful bill' is in tatters. President Donald Trump still wants it on his desk by July 4. Here's everything that will have to go right to make that happen: GOP senators and staff now believe Saturday is the earliest voting will start on the bill. Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged Thursday that parliamentarian rulings forcing Republicans to rewrite key provisions of the bill are throwing his timeline into chaos. A Saturday vote would assume no more major procedural issues, but that is not assured: Republicans could run into trouble with their use of current policy baseline, the accounting tactic they want to use to zero-out the cost of tax-cut extensions. Other adverse recommendations from Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough could force additional redrafts of Republicans' tax plans. 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Newsweek
38 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Zohran Mamdani Proposes Taxing 'Whiter Neighborhoods' in NYC
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New York City's Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has said he wants to "shift the tax burden" to "richer and whiter neighborhoods" if he secures election in November. A housing policy document on Mamdani's official website includes a pledge to "shift the tax burden from overtaxed homeowners in the outer boroughs to more expensive homes in richer and whiter neighborhoods." Newsweek contacted the Mamdani campaign for comment via email on Friday outside of regular office hours. Why It Matters Mamdani's proposal has already sparked a backlash with one conservative commentator branding him racist and urging New Yorkers to support incumbent Mayor Eric Adams instead, who is running in November as an independent. The New York mayoral election campaign has already turned bitter with several Republicans suggesting Mamdani, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Uganda, should be stripped of his American citizenship and deported. What To Know Mamdani's official campaign website features a policy memo under the title "Supporting homeowners and ending deed theft." The document says that if elected his administration will "Shift the tax burden from overtaxed homeowners in the outer boroughs to more expensive homes in richer and whiter neighborhoods." It adds: "The property tax system is unbalanced because assessment levels are artificially capped, so homeowners in expensive neighborhoods pay less than their fair share. The Mayor can fix this by pushing class assessment percentages down for everyone and adjusting rates up, effectively lowering tax payments for homeowners in neighborhoods like Jamaica and Brownsville while raising the amount paid in the most expensive Brooklyn brownstones." New York mayoral candidate, State Rep. Zohran Mamdani (D-NY) speaks to supporters during an election night gathering on June 24, 2025 in New York City. New York mayoral candidate, State Rep. Zohran Mamdani (D-NY) speaks to supporters during an election night gathering on June 24, 2025 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago/GETTY The document asserts that currently New York City taxes "family homes in Black and Latino neighborhoods like Jamaica, Brownsville, and Tremont more than it does in wealthier neighborhoods of the city." On Tuesday Mamdani, who began the campaign as a rank outsider, defeated former New York State governor Andrew Cuomo to secure the 2025 Democratic nomination for the New York mayoralty. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, is running on a platform that includes a number of radical reforms such as creating city-owned grocery stores, offering free childcare to all New Yorkers with children aged between six weeks and five years and imposing a 2 percent tax on all residents earning more than $1 million annually. On Thursday bookmaker Star Sports was offering odds of 1/4 (80 percent) on Mamdani winning this year's New York mayoral election, ahead of Adams in second place on 7/2 (22.2 percent). What People Are Saying On X Eric Daugherty, assistant news director for conservative leaning publication Florida's Voice, said: "WTF? Zohran Mamdani supports taxing 'whiter neighborhoods" in New York City higher than other boroughs. "This Ugandan is not only a radical Muslim socialist but a RACIST. NYC, please reject this psycho and choose Eric Adams instead." The conservative Right Angle News Network on X shared a screenshot from Mamdani's policy memo referring to "whiter neighborhoods" adding: "BREAKING - A proposal by NYC Democrat mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani to shift tax burdens to "Whiter neighborhoods" has resurfaced." What Happens Next The New York Mayoral election will take place on November 4, with the winner expected to assume office in January.
