I don't know what the answer is necessarily but this declaration also appears very political in nature. If all of those Nobel laureates and high-profile researchers really do support the content of the declaration, why not attempt to meet with NIH leadership and work together on a solution? You know, reach out and talk this out? A public declaration and the resulting media attention from "opposite-side" news outlets just comes off as political gamesmanship to me, at least. Several other commenters have correctly pointed out the problems existing at the NIH and NIH-funded institutions so the "why now" question is especially relevant here. Anyone remember the massive research scandal involving Dr. Eliezer Masliah late last year?
Every decision as to how to spend taxpayer money is political. There are always trade offs. The money could be spent on the military, enhancing social security, getting homeless people off the streets. These are all political decisions.
"in protest of the politicization of science and science funding at the NIH"
As if there wasn't politicization of science and science funding during the entire last administration. There was just more of an alignment of worldview between scientists and that administration. Scientists who didn't share the worldview or walk in lockstep still got oppressed and silenced.
I will echo sentiments that this is ironic. Where was a Bethesda declaration when the zeitgeist banned any research into things that would upset the narrative around trans medicine in the previous administrations? Where was any outrage over the AMA ignoring in whole the UK finding that giving hormones to children did not help and in fact was harming them?