The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has terminated five employees who signed a public letter criticizing the Trump administration’s relaxation of environmental regulations. This decision follows a June declaration where numerous EPA staff denounced actions perceived to undermine the agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment.
In the June “Declaration of Dissent,” hundreds of EPA employees expressed concerns that the administration’s policies favored polluters and neglected scientific evidence. The letter highlighted the administration’s dismantling of initiatives aimed at safeguarding vulnerable communities. Following the release of the letter, the five employees were placed on paid leave, a status that was extended multiple times while investigations were conducted into their actions during work hours.
On August 25, the EPA announced the firings, stating that “EPA supervisors made decisions on an individualized basis” after thorough investigations. The announcement was first reported by the Washington Post. Alongside the dismissals, four additional employees received removal notices, prompting fears of further retaliation against those who voiced dissent.
Michael Pasqua, an EPA employee involved in managing drinking water safety in Wisconsin, condemned the agency’s actions. He 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.” The firings have drawn criticism from various advocacy groups, highlighting concerns over transparency and the right to whistleblow.
Scott Pruitt, who served as the EPA administrator during the first Trump administration, oversaw the rollback of more than 100 environmental regulations. Since Trump’s return to office, the administration has continued to reduce federal support for renewable energy initiatives and additional environmental protections. These changes have galvanized federal employees across multiple agencies to express their dissent publicly.
In July 2023, the administration moved to revoke the “endangerment” finding that is crucial for U.S. climate regulation, which stems from a 2007 Supreme Court decision. In light of these actions, staff from the EPA, NASA, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation have united in signing public letters of dissent, marking a significant shift for federal employees who typically maintain a low profile.
Concerns about job security within federal agencies have intensified. In February 2023, during a cabinet meeting, Trump erroneously suggested that the EPA might cut 65 percent of its workforce, a statement later corrected by a White House spokesperson who clarified that the cuts would be to spending, not personnel.
In a related context, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) faced backlash after employees released a “Katrina Declaration” in August, warning Congress about budget cuts and limitations on disaster prevention programs. This declaration also led to administrative leave for 36 non-anonymous signatories, paralleling the actions taken against EPA employees.
Colette Delawalla, a representative from the advocacy group Stand Up for Science, expressed her dismay at the firings. She stated, “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.” The situation emphasizes the critical role of whistleblowing in maintaining government accountability, a right protected by law.
The recent dismissals from the EPA serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions between federal employees advocating for environmental protection and an administration perceived as prioritizing economic interests over public health and safety. As these developments unfold, the implications for environmental governance and employee rights remain significant.
