Federal environmental scientists have been left vulnerable as their jobs were abruptly terminated. Their research often ignored or suppressed, and their agency is heavily influenced by the industry it regulates.
This assessment comes from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and two nonpartisan groups of former federal staff: Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) and the Environmental Protection Network (EPN).
In February, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the “Powering the Great American Comeback” initiative, aiming to fulfill EPA’s mission to protect health and the environment while boosting the economy.
In March, Zeldin—who received significant contributions from the oil and gas industry, according to OpenSecrets—initiated major deregulations, affecting oil and gas wastewater, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollution.
The EPA also canceled billions of dollars in grants and terminated thousands of staff in accordance with Project 2025, a policy blueprint from the Heritage Foundation aimed at “cooling the climate hysteria.”
Environmental experts warn of threats to EPA’s mission, emphasizing the need to challenge U.S. authoritarianism. “We face an illegal purge of nonpartisan federal workers,” said Joanna Citron Day, PEER’s general counsel.
The Trump administration’s actions jeopardize public health and the environment by undermining nonpartisan federal workers, stated panelists at a briefing by PEER, EPN, and Next Interior.
“We are in an authoritarian state,” said Tim Whitehouse, PEER executive director. The executive’s power is unchecked, and dissent is being suppressed.
Civil servants must now demonstrate personal loyalty to retain their jobs, Whitehouse noted. Previously unacceptable corruption is now ignored.
Independent government officers like inspectors general are being dismissed, Whitehouse added. Inspectors general ensure agency accountability.
After re-taking office, President Donald Trump dismissed inspectors general from 18 federal agencies, including Sean O’Donnell from the EPA. OIG staff later released a memo with unresolved issues, including a lack of clear procedures for reporting scientific concerns.
A charge of “political interference” was made regarding a 2021 PFAS assessment, and the OIG previously criticized the EPA for ignoring scientific assessments on a pesticide’s cancer risk. No review has been secured to restore scientific integrity.
EPA denies that career staff and decisions are influenced by external interests, citing reliance on best available science, said Brigit Hirsch, EPA press secretary.
In July, Zeldin announced plans to dismantle the Office of Research and Development, moving staff to pesticide offices without proper training.
What Climate Crisis?
Amidst workforce reductions and reorganizations, EPA nominates candidates for leadership roles who may lack qualifications or have conflicts of interest, noted former staffer Peter Murchie.
Former industry lobbyists now occupy key decision-making roles, Murchie said, referring to administrators in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.
EPA is accused of replacing objective scientists with industry advocates, Murchie stated. EPA’s Hirsch dismissed criticism, asserting the agency remains focused on its mission while fostering economic growth.
“Federal employees are no longer free to provide scientific and factual evidence to their leadership, and decisions are being made by a small number of corporate interests that negatively impact our health and economic well-being.”
— Former EPA staffer Peter Murchie of the Environmental Protection Network
EPA solicited nominations for its Science Advisory Board and Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee after dismissing existing members upon Trump’s return. Federal law mandates these panels provide independent advice.
EPN reviewed nominees and found ties to groups denying climate change, such as the Heartland Institute and CO2 Coalition.
A public health scientist disputes the link between particle pollution and premature death, contrary to evidence of the risks associated with PM2.5 pollution.
Authoritarian Attacks on Science
Science-based governance is not partisan, yet the administration politicizes it, said Murchie. Federal employees face constraints in providing evidence, impacting health and economic well-being.
PEER’s Bennett emphasized the challenges under authoritarian regimes, where scientists are silenced, facts twisted, and fake science promoted.
USA faces these issues today, risking public health and the environment, she added.
Even an industry-influenced EPA committee faced disruptions, said entomologist Marc Lame, removed due to a charter issue.
Committee records are no longer public, preventing transparency, noted Nathan Donley of the Center for Biological Diversity.
The Trump administration’s actions follow a climate report criticized for being antiscientific and downplaying climate change impacts.
The administration has reshaped the government without legislative or judicial approval, said Whitehouse. PEER’s Citron Day urged people to remember constitutional protections and resist anticipatory compliance.
The current period lacks legal checks on administration power, Whitehouse noted, raising concerns about the reshaping of the federal government for personal gain.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org