During a recent joint session of Congress, President Donald Trump paid tribute to a courageous young cancer survivor, DJ Daniel, generating widespread applause from attendees. This gesture has drawn attention in light of Trump’s previous efforts to reduce funding for critical healthcare initiatives, particularly pediatric cancer research.

Meet DJ Daniel

At just 13 years old, DJ Daniel was introduced by Trump as a special guest. The president highlighted Daniel’s aspirations of becoming a police officer and his incredible journey overcoming severe health challenges. In 2018, DJ was diagnosed with brain cancer and given a prognosis of just five months to live. Remarkably, he has defied those odds, celebrating over six years of life since his diagnosis.

Trump’s Gesture

In a heartfelt moment during his address, Trump announced, “Tonight, DJ, we’re going to do you the biggest honor of them all. I am asking our new Secret Service Director, Sean Curran, to officially make you an agent of the United States.” This honor marked a significant milestone in DJ’s journey, as he has actively participated in his local police departments as an honorary member.

Controversial Healthcare Cuts

Despite the ceremonial honor, Trump’s administration is under scrutiny for proposing $4 billion cuts to funding that supports cancer research at universities and medical institutions. The initiative includes plans to limit indirect costs for research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to just 15 percent, a move that has prompted significant backlash from the scientific community.

In a recent lawsuit, universities and research institutions challenged the administration’s proposed funding cuts, claiming they would jeopardize invaluable medical research. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley intervened, instructing the administration to pause these cuts until further notice.

Reactions to Funding Cuts

Critics of the proposed cuts, including Education Subcommittee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, expressed alarm over the potential negative impact on crucial medical research. “Once again, President Trump and Elon Musk are acting in direct violation of the law,” DeLauro stated, emphasizing the risks involved for ongoing research on various life-threatening conditions.

Danielle Fragalla, CEO of the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, also addressed the implications of the funding reductions, highlighting how they pose a significant threat to advancements made in pediatric cancer care. She stated, “The reduction in research and care funding is a devastating setback for the pediatric cancer community.”