{"id":2588,"date":"2025-07-11T21:55:03","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T21:55:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/2588\/"},"modified":"2025-07-11T21:55:03","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T21:55:03","slug":"epa-puts-staffers-on-leave-after-letter-criticizing-trump-admin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/2588\/","title":{"rendered":"EPA puts staffers on leave after letter criticizing Trump admin"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEnvironment\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\u201cThese investigations are proof that the administrator is promoting a climate of fear,\u201d said the president of the union chapter representing more than 400 EPA employees in New England.<\/p>\n

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\n\tEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) civil servants from the Boston area participate in a demonstration Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Angell Memorial Square in Downtown Boston. The demonstration was part of a larger movement across the country, with EPA workers marching against the onslaught of attacks on the agency by the Trump administration. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe, File\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Abby Patkin<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJuly 11, 2025 | 3:52 PM\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

3 minutes to read<\/p>\n

At least five employees with the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s New England office have been put on administrative leave after signing an open letter<\/a> criticizing the Trump administration\u2019s environmental policies.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Addressed to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the letter accused federal officials of \u201crecklessly undermining the EPA mission,\u201d also raising concerns about \u201cthe current administration\u2019s focus on harmful deregulation, mischaracterization of previous EPA actions, and disregard for scientific expertise.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

In all, 620 people signed the letter \u2014 including current and former EPA employees \u2014 and thousands more voiced their support on a landing page<\/a> organized by the nonprofit Stand Up for Science. The EPA confirmed it has placed a total of 139 staffers on leave nationwide pending an investigation, alleging that the letter contained misleading information and that employees signed using their official titles.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The suspensions quickly drew backlash as accusations of retaliation flew, and the agency\u2019s investigation came as a surprise to some in Boston.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI was not expecting much to come of this petition,\u201d explained Lilly Simmons, president of AFGE Local 3428, which represents more than 400 EPA employees in New England. \u201cPerhaps, a petition or letter leads to discussion, but not investigation. This situation is unheard of in my 20 years of working. If anything, these investigations are proof that the administrator is promoting a climate of fear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking via email in her personal capacity as union president, Simmons said at least five New England staffers are out on 10 days of paid administrative leave amid the pending investigation, which could ultimately result in the employees\u2019 dismissal. The impacts to the EPA\u2019s New England office were previously reported by WBUR<\/a> and GBH<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The suspension notices went out July 3, with the administrative leave running until July 17. According to Simmons, it remains unclear exactly what the agency is investigating.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Environmental Protection Agency has a zero-tolerance policy for career bureaucrats unlawfully undermining, sabotaging, and undercutting the administration\u2019s agenda as voted for by the great people of this country last November,\u201d an EPA spokesperson said in a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yet Simmons indicated she hasn\u2019t seen an official policy to that effect. The oath of office and whistleblower laws<\/a> also obligate federal employees to speak up when their agency\u2019s mission is being compromised, she argued.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is nothing wrong with writing a letter to your boss or signing a petition in your personal capacity,\u201d Simmons said. \u201cThe notices that people received noted that discipline could follow, but again, it\u2019s not clear why that would happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also found it surprising union leaders reportedly did not receive notices of administrative leave in connection with the letter.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile union leaders have a long history of being able to engage in vigorous discussion with management, it feels more like a strategy to sow division amongst members,\u201d Simmons added. \u201cI don\u2019t think it will work, our union is strong and this situation gives us a chance to show our value.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like many federal agencies, the EPA has experienced a period of turmoil since President Donald Trump began his second term, from mass layoffs<\/a> to Zeldin\u2019s stated mission of rolling back rules<\/a> on environmental issues such as climate change and coal-fired power plants.<\/p>\n

According to Simmons, AFGE Local 3428 has made itself available to talk with staffers placed on leave, even if they\u2019re not paying union members. Nationally, she said, AFGE Council 238 is in talks with management in hopes of getting folks back on the job. The matter has also drawn lawmakers\u2019 attention<\/a> on Capitol Hill.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But in the meantime, according to Simmons, every project involving the 139 suspended EPA employees will be delayed.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir program offices have to spend time shuffling work, time that would otherwise be advancing our mission,\u201d Simmons explained. \u201cAgain, retaliation like this is meant to scare us. If this is the reaction after responsibly exercising your right to respectfully disagree: what\u2019s next? People are on edge and distracted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read the full \u201cDeclaration of Dissent\u201d:<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Profile\t<\/p>\n

Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between. She has been covering the Karen Read murder case.<\/p>\n

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