EPA Dismisses Five Employees Following Dissent Letter Criticizing Policies
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has dismissed five employees who signed a June declaration criticizing the Trump administration’s policies on pollution, climate change, and health safety regulations. In addition to these firings, four other employees received removal notices as part of the agency’s investigation into their activities surrounding the dissent letter. The EPA stated that decisions were made on an “individualized basis” following thorough investigations.
In the June “Declaration of Dissent,” hundreds of EPA employees expressed concern over the administration’s actions, which they claimed undermined the agency’s mission of protecting human health and the environment. Their grievances included allegations that the EPA disregarded scientific evidence to favor polluters, as well as dismantling programs designed to assist disadvantaged communities. Most employees signed the letter anonymously due to fears of retaliation, a concern that has now materialized with the recent firings.
The employees had been placed on paid leave pending an investigation into whether they prepared the declaration during work hours. This limbo was prolonged multiple times, extending into September for many signatories. On August 4, 2023, the agency moved to revoke employee bargaining and grievance rights agreements, further escalating tensions within the agency.
Michael Pasqua, an EPA employee involved in managing drinking water safety in Wisconsin and a signatory of the declaration, 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.”
During the first Trump administration, particularly under former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, the agency rolled back over 100 environmental regulations. Currently, with Trump back in office, the administration has initiated cuts to federal solar and wind power initiatives alongside additional environmental regulations. This change in policy has sparked widespread dissent among employees at various scientific agencies.
In July, the administration attempted to revoke the “endangerment” finding, a critical element for U.S. climate regulation established by a 2007 Supreme Court decision. This move, along with the removal of numerous federal employees from various agencies, has prompted hundreds of staff members from the EPA, NASA, National Institutes of Health, and National Science Foundation to publicly express their dissent.
The administration’s actions have raised alarms reminiscent of past federal mismanagement. In February, Trump mistakenly indicated that the EPA would cut 65 percent of its workforce, a statement later corrected by White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers, who clarified that the cuts would pertain to spending rather than staffing.
In August, employees from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released a “Katrina Declaration,” alerting Congress to potential dangers posed by budget restrictions and cuts to disaster prevention programs. This declaration raised concerns about the possibility of a disaster similar to Hurricane Katrina, which resulted in approximately 1,833 deaths in 2005. Following this, FEMA placed 36 employees who signed the declaration on administrative leave, mirroring actions taken by the EPA.
Colette Delawalla, a representative from the advocacy group Stand Up for Science, expressed outrage over the firings, stating, “This is a betrayal of our nation’s most dedicated members of society—we all want clear air and water for ourselves and our families.” She emphasized that whistleblowing is protected by law and insisted that these employees had committed no wrongdoing.
The recent firings at the EPA highlight a growing trend of retaliation against federal employees who voice dissent against governmental policies. As tensions rise within scientific agencies, the future of environmental regulation and public health remains uncertain.
