The Trump administration has blocked a crucial step in the NIH process for funding medical research, in violation of a federal judge’s restraining order, The Guardian reported today.  This has effectively “shut down the extramural research program” according to Northwest University biologist Carole LaBonne.  According to University of Michigan law professor Samuel Bagenstos, this is a “clear violation” of a federal judges orders. Judges can now hold officials in civil contempt of court, and they can be subject to jail time.  Without this time sensitive funding source, there is concern that many labs are going to be forced to close.  The motivation for this apparently illegal action by the Trump administration in not immediately clear and how and when this will be resolved remains to be seen.