More than 160 environmental and public health organisations have united in a powerful call for the resignation or dismissal of Lee Zeldin, the current administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In a scathing open letter released on 24 March 2026, these groups accuse Zeldin of fundamentally undermining the agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment, claiming his tenure has inflicted irreversible damage that will take decades to rectify.
A Betrayal of Core Values
The open letter, orchestrated by the Climate Action Campaign and Moms Clean Air Force, articulates a profound disappointment with Zeldin’s leadership. “No [EPA] administrator in history – Democratic or Republican – has so brazenly betrayed the agency’s core mission,” the letter asserts. Under Zeldin’s direction, the EPA has systematically dismantled vital environmental safeguards designed to combat the climate crisis, ensure clean air and water, and safeguard the health of American citizens.
Zeldin’s administration has not only rolled back or weakened numerous protections but has also significantly reduced funding and staff within the agency. This has raised grave concerns about its capacity to fulfil its essential functions. “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 continues, highlighting the dire implications of these actions.
Voices of Dissent
The letter’s signatories include prominent organisations such as Public Citizen, the Sierra Club, Earthjustice, and Physicians for Social Responsibility. These groups represent a broad coalition of voices urging for accountability within the EPA. Gretchen Goldman, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, emphasised the need for an EPA leader who prioritises facing the climate crisis head-on, rather than catering to the interests of the fossil fuel industry and an anti-science administration.
This appeal is not isolated; it follows a previous petition from leaders of the Make America Healthy Again movement, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., calling for Zeldin’s ousting due to his environmental rollbacks. The situation has been exacerbated by reports that Zeldin has engaged with this movement, further fuelling concerns over his commitment to the agency’s mission.
Internal Backlash and Criticism
Criticism of Zeldin has also emerged from within the EPA itself, where current and former staff members expressed their discontent through the “Declaration of Dissent.” This document condemned Zeldin’s management style and the impact of his decisions on scientific integrity and employee morale. Reports indicate that some employees faced disciplinary actions for signing the declaration, although agency officials clarified that their conduct did not violate ethical standards.
In response to the ongoing criticism, Brigit Hirsch, an EPA spokesperson, defended Zeldin’s approach, stating that the agency maintains a “zero-tolerance policy for career bureaucrats unlawfully undermining, sabotaging, and undercutting the administration’s agenda.” This stance highlights the growing tensions between the agency’s leadership and its workforce.
The Broader Implications
Next month, Zeldin is slated to be the keynote speaker at a climate-focused conference hosted by the Heartland Institute, a conservative organisation known for its rejection of the scientific consensus around climate change. This event, backed by funding from fossil fuel companies like ExxonMobil, raises further eyebrows about Zeldin’s commitment to the EPA’s foundational goals.
Why it Matters
The demand for Zeldin’s resignation underscores a critical moment for environmental governance in the United States. As the nation grapples with the escalating climate crisis, the actions taken by the EPA under Zeldin’s leadership could have far-reaching implications for public health and the environment. The call for accountability reflects a broader societal urgency to ensure that governmental agencies prioritise the protection of human health and the planet over corporate interests. With the stakes higher than ever, the outcome of this situation will significantly influence the future of environmental policy in America.
