Trump Administration Targets Over 100 EPA Employees, Plans to Cut Environmental Justice Programs
In an effort to clean up Washington, the Trump administration plans to place more than 100 employees from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental Justice and Civil Rights Office on leave, following President Trump’s directive to reduce government involvement in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, according to new reports.
Sources confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that the changes, which could take effect as early as Thursday, are part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce spending and refocus government priorities.
This includes scaling back the “environmental justice” programs that were expanded under the Biden administration, as well as similar reductions in staff at the Department of Justice (DOJ), according to Reuters.
The EPA employees affected work within the agency’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, which aims to integrate civil rights and equity into environmental policymaking, The Post Millennial reports.
This division, which had a staff of around 200 employees under the Biden administration, was bolstered by billions of dollars from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The IRA allocated funds to address climate change and supported programs aimed at mitigating pollution in lower-income and minority communities, according to TPM.
EPA spokespersons have stated that the agency is working diligently to implement Trump’s executive orders related to DEI programs.
At the same time, the DOJ is also experiencing cuts to its environmental justice office. Sources told Reuters that approximately 20 employees from the DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division are affected by a “reduction in force.”
This department handles a range of responsibilities, including issuing policy advice, reviewing regulations and fulfilling public records requests.
Sources confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that the changes, which could take effect as early as Thursday, are part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce spending and refocus government priorities.
This includes scaling back the “environmental justice” programs that were expanded under the Biden administration, as well as similar reductions in staff at the Department of Justice (DOJ), according to Reuters.
The EPA employees affected work within the agency’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, which aims to integrate civil rights and equity into environmental policymaking, The Post Millennial reports.
This division, which had a staff of around 200 employees under the Biden administration, was bolstered by billions of dollars from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The IRA allocated funds to address climate change and supported programs aimed at mitigating pollution in lower-income and minority communities, according to TPM.
EPA spokespersons have stated that the agency is working diligently to implement Trump’s executive orders related to DEI programs.
At the same time, the DOJ is also experiencing cuts to its environmental justice office. Sources told Reuters that approximately 20 employees from the DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division are affected by a “reduction in force.”
This department handles a range of responsibilities, including issuing policy advice, reviewing regulations and fulfilling public records requests.
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