In a powerful show of dissent, over 160 environmental and public health organisations have called for the resignation or dismissal of Lee Zeldin, head of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In an open letter released on Tuesday, these groups condemned Zeldin’s leadership, stating that he has “brazenly betrayed” the agency’s fundamental mission to protect human health and the environment. The coalition argues that Zeldin’s actions are jeopardising public health and exacerbating the climate crisis.
A Call to Action from Diverse Groups
Organised by prominent green advocacy organisations, including the Climate Action Campaign and Moms Clean Air Force, the open letter has garnered support from a wide array of local and national groups. Among the signatories are well-respected entities such as Public Citizen, the Sierra Club, Earthjustice, GreenRoots, GreenLatinos, and Physicians for Social Responsibility.
The letter highlights Zeldin’s drastic cuts to funding and staffing at the EPA, which they argue have prioritised corporate interests over the wellbeing of citizens. “He slashed vital funding, gutted agency staff, and has rigged the system to put corporate polluters first, at the expense of our health,” the letter states, emphasising the damaging impact of Zeldin’s policies on environmental safeguards.
Criticism from Lawmakers and Scientists
The backlash against Zeldin has been echoed by various Democratic and progressive lawmakers, who have not held back in their critiques of his leadership. Gretchen Goldman, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, articulated the frustrations of many, stating, “The public deserves an EPA administrator who will face the challenge of the climate crisis and fossil fuel and toxic pollution head-on with proven policy solutions, not actively serve as an agent of destruction beholden to the whims of oil, gas, and chemical industry executives.”
This letter follows a January petition from leaders of the Make America Healthy Again movement, spearheaded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which similarly called for Zeldin’s removal due to his environmental rollbacks. The increasing pressure on Zeldin comes against a backdrop of accusations of fostering an environment hostile to scientific integrity within the EPA.
Internal Dissent and Agency Response
Current and former EPA employees have also expressed their discontent, with many signing a declaration that openly critiques Zeldin’s management of the agency. Reports indicate that some staff members faced suspension or termination for voicing their dissent, although an internal review concluded that their actions did not breach ethical guidelines.
EPA spokesperson Brigit Hirsch defended the agency’s stance, asserting a “zero-tolerance policy for career bureaucrats unlawfully undermining, sabotaging, and undercutting the administration’s agenda.” This reflects a broader trend within the Trump administration to frame regulatory rollbacks as necessary for economic growth, despite widespread opposition from environmental advocates.
Next month, Zeldin is slated to be the opening speaker at a climate conference convened by the Heartland Institute, a right-wing organisation that has been heavily funded by fossil fuel companies and denies the scientific consensus on climate change. This association has raised further alarms among environmentalists who fear that Zeldin’s participation will further erode the EPA’s credibility.
Why it Matters
The unfolding situation at the EPA is critical not just for the future of the agency, but for the health of American citizens and the environment at large. As climate change continues to pose an existential threat, the integrity of the institutions tasked with safeguarding public health becomes increasingly vital. The call for Zeldin’s resignation is not merely a reaction to his policies; it embodies a broader demand for leadership that prioritises science, accountability, and the urgent need for effective climate action. The outcome of this struggle will resonate far beyond the halls of the EPA, shaping the future of environmental policy in the United States.
