In a significant pushback against the current leadership of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over 160 environmental and public health organisations have united in a powerful call for the resignation of Administrator Lee Zeldin. This unprecedented demand highlights growing concerns that Zeldin has not only compromised the agency’s core mission of safeguarding human health and the environment but has also prioritised corporate interests over public welfare.
A Betrayal of Trust
In an open letter released on 24 March 2026, these advocacy groups asserted that no EPA administrator in history has so “brazenly betrayed” the agency’s foundational objectives. The letter states unequivocally: “EPA’s foremost purpose is to protect human health and the environment. With Administrator Lee Zeldin at the helm, EPA has abandoned its mission, creating damage that will take decades to address.”
Since Zeldin’s appointment, the EPA has systematically dismantled numerous environmental protections designed to combat the climate crisis, ensure clean air and water, and protect the health of American citizens. Critics argue that his administration has slashed critical funding and reduced staffing levels, thereby undermining the agency’s capacity to fulfil its duties.
Organised by the Climate Action Campaign and Moms Clean Air Force, the letter garnered signatures from a diverse coalition, including the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, the Sierra Club, Earthjustice, and various environmental justice organisations such as GreenRoots and GreenLatinos. The broad support for this initiative underscores a collective frustration with Zeldin’s leadership.
Voices of Concern
Gretchen Goldman, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, expressed the urgency of the situation, 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 latest letter follows a petition from the Make America Healthy Again movement, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which similarly demanded Zeldin’s dismissal due to his aggressive rollbacks of environmental regulations. Adding to the controversy, Zeldin has been reported to have mingled with supporters of this movement, raising eyebrows about his commitment to the EPA’s mission.
Democratic and progressive lawmakers have also been vocal in their criticism of Zeldin’s leadership approach, which they argue undermines decades of environmental progress. Furthermore, internal dissent within the agency has been palpable, with current and former EPA staff members signing a “Declaration of Dissent” that condemned Zeldin’s management style and treatment of scientific programming. Reports indicate that some staff faced suspension or termination for their dissent, although investigations concluded they had not violated any ethical guidelines.
Contrasting Perspectives
EPA spokesperson Brigit Hirsch has defended Zeldin’s leadership, asserting that the agency maintains a “zero-tolerance policy for career bureaucrats unlawfully undermining, sabotaging, and undercutting the administration’s agenda.” The Trump administration continues to justify its sweeping rollbacks of regulations by arguing that it can effectively protect the environment while also bolstering industry growth.
As if to underscore the polarisation surrounding his leadership, Zeldin is set to be the opening speaker at an upcoming climate-focused conference organised by the Heartland Institute, a right-leaning organisation known for its controversial stance on climate science and its ties to major fossil fuel interests.
Why it Matters
The growing call for Zeldin’s resignation reflects a broader societal reckoning with environmental stewardship and public health accountability. As the climate crisis becomes increasingly urgent, the actions and decisions made by the EPA under Zeldin’s leadership have far-reaching implications for the health of millions of Americans and the planet. The outcome of this situation could set a precedent for how environmental policies are shaped and enforced in the years to come, making it a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for climate justice and public health advocacy.
