Filed Date: Dec. 16, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Jeanne M. Marrazzo, the predecessor of Dr. Anthony Fauci, served as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (“NIAID”) at the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”) from August 2023 until her involuntary removal on March 31, 2025, and subsequent termination on September 26, 2025. Her termination was the basis for this lawsuit.
On December 16, 2025, Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAD) at the National Institute of Health (NIH) filed suit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy, and the National Institutes of Health. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and assigned to judge Julie Rebecca Rubin.
Dr. Marrazzo claims she was removed from her position and ultimately terminated after repeatedly objecting to actions she viewed as dangerous to public health, including the abrupt cancellation of $8.9 billion in research grants based on political preferences rather than scientific merit, promoting anti-vaccine positions contrary to scientific evidence, and the censoring of research on infectious diseases, vaccines, and health equity.
After voicing concerns internally, she was placed on administrative leave in March 2025 and proposed for reassignment to Indian Health Service. When she filed whistleblower complaints with the Office of Special Counsel in September 2025 and spoke publicly to major media outlets about the Administration's actions, Secretary Kennedy terminated her employment three weeks later.
In her complaint, Dr. Marrazzo alleged that her termination violated the Whistleblower Protection Act, Civil Service Reform Act, and her First and Fifth Amendment rights. She argued that traditional administrative remedies are unavailable because the Trump Administration has compromised the independence of oversight agencies. She sought reinstatement and damages.
The case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Madena Mustafa (2/1/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72048676/parties/marrazzo-v-kennedy/
Gallagher, Stephanie A. (Maryland)
Katz, Debra S (Maryland)
Lowell, Abbe David (Maryland)
Robb, Marilyn Gabriela (Maryland)
Standley, Schuyler Joyes (Maryland)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72048676/marrazzo-v-kennedy/
Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:22 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Dec. 16, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Dr. Jeanne M. Marrazzo
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
Jayanta Bhattacharya
Matthew Memoli
National Institutes of Health
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
District of Maryland 8:25-cv-04144
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Content of Injunction:
Issues
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:
Case Summary of Marrazzo v. Kennedy, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47518/ (last updated 2/1/2026).