EPA Suspends Employees Who Expressed Concerns

On July 3, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suspended and announced plans to investigate approximately 140 employees days after they signed a letter expressing concern about the treatment of federal employees and the Trump administration’s regulations on climate and public health. CNN said the letter outlined five key concerns and accused the current administration of:

1. Undermining public trust.
2. Discounting scientific consensus to benefit polluters.
3. Reversing the EPA’s progress in America’s most vulnerable communities.
4. Dismantling the Office of Research and Development.
5. Fostering a culture of fear and forcing staff to choose between their livelihood and well-being.

Workers also wrote that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin may have violated the Hatch Act by using the EPA’s website and social media to promote President Donald Trump’s tariffs and “big beautiful bill.” 

“The Environmental Protection Agency has a zero-tolerance policy for career bureaucrats unlawfully undermining, sabotaging, and undercutting the administration’s agenda as voted for by the great people of this country last November,” an EPA spokesperson said.