Tue Jul 08 17:00:00 UTC 2025: **EPA Places 144 Employees on Leave After Criticism of Trump Administration**
**Washington, D.C.** – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has placed 144 employees on administrative leave and launched an investigation following a letter signed by the employees criticizing the Trump administration’s handling of the agency. The letter accused the administration of politicizing, dismantling, and sidelining the EPA, prompting accusations of retaliation and concerns about potential violations of First Amendment rights.
The EPA claims the disciplinary action is justified because the employees used their official titles when signing the letter, which the agency says “denigrated” its leadership. In an email, EPA Press Secretary Brigit Hirsch stated the agency has a “zero-tolerance policy” for employees “unlawfully undermining, sabotaging and undercutting the administration’s agenda.”
The employees received emails on Thursday informing them of the two-week leave “pending an administrative investigation,” during which they will continue to receive paychecks.
The letter in question, sent Monday to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, expressed concerns that the agency was making decisions based on a political agenda rather than science and the law. It cited recent EPA communications that echoed President Trump’s comments, describing coal as “beautiful” and “clean,” despite its environmental impact.
Justin Chen, of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 238, a union representing over 8,000 EPA workers, condemned the move as “clearly an act of retaliation” and vowed to defend its members.
The letter was organized by Stand Up for Science, a group advocating for federally funded scientific research. Of the 278 EPA employees who signed the letter, 105 chose to remain anonymous, fearing reprisal. Tim Whitehouse, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, argued that the Constitution protects the speech of federal workers and asserted the employees’ First Amendment rights.
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