The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has terminated five employees who signed a letter criticizing the Trump administration’s rollback of key environmental regulations. This decision follows the release of a June declaration in which hundreds of EPA staff expressed concerns over the weakening of pollution, climate, and health safety rules.
According to an agency statement released on August 25, 2023, the firings were made after individualized investigations. Four additional employees received removal notices. The agency emphasized that decisions were made on a case-by-case basis, as first reported by the *Washington Post*.
Concerns Over Environmental Policy Changes
The June “Declaration of Dissent” outlined grievances from EPA employees who felt the administration was undermining the agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment. Their concerns included accusations that the EPA was ignoring scientific evidence to favor polluters and dismantling initiatives designed to assist disadvantaged communities. Most signatories chose to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation, which have now manifested in the firings.
The employees had been on paid leave since the letter’s release and faced prolonged investigations into their activities during work hours. This limbo was extended multiple times, with many signatories remaining under scrutiny into September 2023.
Michael Pasqua, an EPA employee involved in managing drinking water safety in Wisconsin, stated, “The Administration is blatantly lying about the sourced facts of our dissent letter, and are now blatantly retaliating and infringing on our constitutional rights.” His comments reflect the growing concern among federal employees regarding the administration’s stance on climate and environmental science.
Historical Context and Wider Implications
The Trump administration’s first term was marked by significant rollbacks of environmental regulations, with more than 100 rules rescinded during Scott Pruitt’s tenure as EPA administrator. As the administration resumes its efforts to cut back federal initiatives, including solar and wind programs, the climate and scientific communities are increasingly alarmed.
In July 2023, the administration attempted to revoke the “endangerment” finding that supports U.S. climate regulation, stemming from a 2007 Supreme Court decision. This move, along with similar actions across various scientific agencies, prompted hundreds of employees from the EPA, NASA, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to sign public letters of dissent.
Concerns about agency integrity have intensified, particularly after President Trump’s erroneous comment in February that the EPA would cut 65 percent of its staff. A White House spokesperson later clarified that the intention was to cut the agency’s spending, not its workforce.
In a related incident, employees from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a “Katrina Declaration” in August 2023, warning Congress about spending constraints and their potential to exacerbate disaster risks. This declaration led to similar administrative leave for 36 non-anonymous signatories, mirroring the situation at the EPA.
Colette Delawalla from the advocacy group Stand Up for Science criticized the firings, calling them a betrayal of dedicated public servants. She emphasized that whistleblowing is protected by law and that these employees acted in good faith to advocate for environmental protection.
As the landscape of federal employment becomes increasingly turbulent, the ramifications of these actions extend beyond individual careers, potentially impacting the broader mission of federal agencies tasked with safeguarding public health and the environment.
