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Agency dismisses staff members publicly condemning agency policies under Trump's administration

Union affiliated with the American Federation of Government Employees, the EPA branch, denounced terminations. These terminations occurred following the placing of 139 employees on administrative leave, a move that took place shortly after these employees signed a declaration expressing dissent.

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EPA dismissed workers who publicly objected to the agency's policies during Trump's term
EPA dismissed workers who publicly objected to the agency's policies during Trump's term

Agency dismisses staff members publicly condemning agency policies under Trump's administration

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a controversial step by firing at least eight of its employees, following the signing of a letter criticizing the EPA's leadership under Administrator Lee Zeldin and President Donald Trump.

The decision, according to an EPA spokeswoman, was made following a thorough internal investigation on an individualized basis. The employees in question were accused of "unlawfully undermining" the Trump administration's agenda at the time.

The so-called declaration of dissent, signed by more than 170 employees in late June, stated that the EPA is no longer fulfilling its mission to protect human health and the environment. Prior to the firings, 139 workers were put on administrative leave shortly after signing the dissent declaration.

The EPA union, part of the American Federation of Government Employees, has condemned the firings. Justin Chen, president of AFGE Council 238, stated that the Trump administration's actions against EPA workers were an assault on labor and free-speech rights.

The firings were first reported by The Washington Post. The EPA has a zero-tolerance policy for career officials using their agency position and title to unlawfully undermine, sabotage, and undercut the will of the American public. However, the EPA spokeswoman disputed the claim that the letter contained inaccurate information designed to mislead the public about agency business.

Employees at other agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health and Federal Emergency Management Agency, have issued similar statements of criticism. More than 180 current and former FEMA employees signed a letter criticizing recent cuts to agency staff and programs, warning that FEMA's capacity to respond to a major disaster is dangerously diminished.

The EPA announced last month its plan to eliminate its research and development arm and reduce agency staff by thousands of employees. The EPA expects total staffing to go down to about 12,500, a reduction of more than 3,700 employees, or nearly 23%, from staffing levels when Trump took office in January.

It is unclear at this time the extent of disciplinary actions against Environmental Protection Agency employees who signed the Dissent letter after June 30, 2021. The firings have sparked concerns among workers and unions about the freedom of speech and the potential consequences of criticizing the current administration.

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