Catch up on the RFK Jr. hearings, crisis among researchers, and more

A powerhouse team of STAT reporters has been covering the flurry of news this week from the new Trump administration. 

February 1, 2025 Check out STAT+

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A powerhouse team of STAT reporters has been covering the flurry of news this week from the new Trump administration. From the RFK Jr. confirmation hearings to the fallout from Trump's executive orders on DEI, read on for a full recap. — Sarah Mupo, senior copy and production editor

Win McNamee/Getty Images RFK Jr.'s confirmation hearings: analysis and updates Day 1: Senate Finance Committee The 7 big topics RFK Jr. addressed during a fiery hearing Analysis: RFK Jr. diagnoses a nation's health ills but fails to prescribe remedies Day 2: Senate HELP Committee Analysis: RFK Jr. doubles down on vaccine criticism and misinformation, imperiling key votes More on RFK Jr.: Exclusive: Private emails show RFK Jr. making false claims about Covid-19 shots, linking vaccines to autism RFK Jr. disavows fundraising email that praised HHS freeze, two days after claiming his campaign doesn't exist RFK Jr.'s step-by-step blueprint to question the safety of vaccines

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Ben Margo/AP Universities fear Trump is using lucrative research grants as leverage to dismantle their DEI programs Executive orders issued by President Trump in his first days in office are sending a chill through the nation's colleges, universities, and academic medical centers because they appear to be part of a plan to leverage billions of dollars in NIH and other research grants — their fiscal lifeblood — to pressure them to dismantle programs and activities dealing with DEI. Read more. By Usha Lee McFarling, Megan Molteni, and Jonathan Wosen More coverage: Researchers reel as Trump administration moves quickly to cut funding and end DEI health programs National Science Foundation suspends salary payments, leaving researchers unable to pay their bills Illustration: Christine Kao/STAT; Photos: Getty and courtesy Trump's first term birthed the March for Science. Where are the science activists now? Many still see the desire for a movement like the March for Science in their circles, but are dissuaded from taking action because of a political atmosphere that is more hostile to both physical protests and science. Read more. By Anil Oza In case you missed it 'Incredibly irresponsible': Hims Super Bowl ad downplays risks of compounded drugs Vertex wins FDA approval for non-opioid pain drug, setting stage for closely watched rollout Opinion: When your child can't walk and it could be polio How AI helps drug developers skirt pharma's 'dirty little secret'

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