An unusually tense town hall at the National Institutes of Health saw dozens of scientists walk out during Jay Bhattacharya’s first speech as director.

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, appointed as NIH head by President Donald Trump, suggested that U.S.-funded research may have played a role in starting the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting an exodus of staff and fierce debate, according to the Daily Mail.

The walkout erupted Monday at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, after Bhattacharya made a statement that many present described as “jaw-dropping,” linking federal research funding to the origins of the global pandemic.

Bhattacharya’s Controversial Claims Ignite Chaos

Standing at the podium, Bhattacharya declared, “It’s possible that the pandemic was caused by research conducted by human beings, and it’s also possible that the NIH partly sponsored that research.” These words triggered an immediate reaction, as at least 30 scientists left the room in protest. Bhattacharya responded to the exodus, calling after the departing staff, “It’s nice to have free speech. You’re welcome, you guys.”

His comments referenced longstanding controversy over NIH-funded virus manipulation experiments at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China, a facility that both the CIA and FBI have linked to the origins of the coronavirus. Debate over the so-called “lab leak theory” has divided the scientific community and become a flashpoint in U.S. political and scientific discourse.

Funding Cuts and Ideology Accusations Deepen Tensions

After the walkout, Bhattacharya continued his speech, insisting that if it’s true NIH-sponsored research contributed to the pandemic, the agency must ensure it never engages in research that poses a risk to human populations. He cited polls indicating that most Americans believe in some U.S. responsibility for the pandemic and said his review of scientific evidence supported the need for caution.

Staff described the start of the meeting as unusually cold, with Bhattacharya receiving “stony silence” instead of the customary applause for new directors. Heckling broke out as he addressed the agency’s massive budget cuts, which he defended as necessary. Bhattacharya argued that some NIH-backed projects were “ideological in nature” and did not “advance the health and well-being of anybody, but it does diminish public trust.”

He clarified that this included research into “structural racism,” a position that drew strong backlash from at least one audience member. Critics accused Bhattacharya of undermining important work and using ideological arguments to justify controversial cuts.

Trump Administration Drives NIH Shakeup

Bhattacharya also promoted a new executive order from President Trump ending funding for gain-of-function research in “countries of concern.” This type of research, which involves enhancing the transmissibility or virulence of viruses, has been at the center of the lab leak debate. Critics argue it is essential for pandemic preparedness, while opponents warn it is too risky.

During the town hall, the new NIH head attempted to focus attention on his five-point plan for the agency. He outlined priorities, including chronic disease, academic freedom, research reproducibility, innovative science, and transparency. However, the uproar over his remarks overshadowed these policy proposals.

Senator Bernie Sanders recently released a report asserting that $2.7 billion in NIH funding had been cut by the Trump administration. This figure is significantly higher than previous estimates, raising alarm among scientists and advocates who warn of lasting harm to U.S. biomedical research.

Bhattacharya’s Reputation and Shifting Stance

Bhattacharya gained national prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as a critic of lockdown policies and co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, which advocated for protecting only the most vulnerable rather than broad restrictions. Former NIH director Dr. Francis Collins dismissed him as a “fringe epidemiologist” in 2021, highlighting the long-standing divisions within the public health community.

For years, Bhattacharya distanced himself from the lab leak theory. In May 2022, he wrote on X, “Who says I believe it was a lab leak? I still don’t.” But as more research emerged suggesting possible links to the Wuhan Institute, his position shifted. He now insists the theory should not be ruled out, citing both scientific evidence and public opinion.

Some scientists, meanwhile, argue COVID may have originated in southern China or Laos, with animal traders transporting the virus to Wuhan. However, they cannot exclude the possibility that researchers played a role in its movement.

Bhattacharya Faces Crisis After First Town Hall

Jay Bhattacharya, newly appointed director of the NIH by President Trump, sparked a mass walkout during his first town hall in Bethesda with remarks linking NIH-funded research to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staffers left in protest as Bhattacharya doubled down on claims about research risks and the need for a new agency direction. The fallout from Monday’s walkout highlights ongoing conflict at the NIH as it faces steep funding cuts, controversial leadership, and a public still divided over the origins of the pandemic. Bhattacharya’s leadership and the Trump administration’s policies are likely to remain flashpoints as the agency navigates an uncertain future.