"Groups studying 'the farthest reaches of the galaxy to the deepest depths of the sea to everything in between, including those of us who wander around predominantly on plants,' have come together," Krieger said.
"That’s because, yes, we have experienced censorship. We have experience with blunt use of power to put forward the ideological agenda."
Legal and policy experts have expressed strong concerns regarding the scope of the administrative rules, noting that the regulations extend well beyond scientific fields.
"It’s the entirety of the federal grant-making process," said Sara Rosenbaum, professor emerita of health law and policy at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University.
Rosenbaum noted that the upcoming rule will alter funding structures for healthcare, education, social services, and environmental protections.
"In the normal course of events, an administration faced with 500,000 comments – virtually all of which will be in opposition to the rule … would withdraw the rule," said Rosenbaum.
The professor added that there remains a low expectation that the current administration will choose to withdraw the proposal despite the volume of public pushback.
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Political and Legal Challenges
Congressional representatives have also challenged the legality and safety implications of the proposed funding framework.
"President Trump and [OMB director] Russell Vought are not only breaking the law, but they are also once again endangering the health and safety of Americans," Tammy Baldwin, a Democratic senator of Wisconsin, said in a statement.
