EPA Suspends 139 Staff Over Dissent Letter

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed 139 employees on administrative leave after they publicly signed a 'Declaration of Dissent' criticizing the Trump administration and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for undermining the agency's mission. The letter was signed by over 170 named EPA staff and hundreds more anonymously, and accused the administration of harmful deregulation, dismantling research programs, and prioritizing polluters over public health. The EPA stated the suspensions were necessary to investigate possible violations of agency rules regarding the use of official titles and resources. Congressional Democrats, environmental groups, union officials, and advocacy organizations condemned the suspensions as political retaliation and an attack on free speech, demanding the employees' reinstatement. The incident drew comparisons to a similar protest by NIH employees, who did not face disciplinary action. The EPA maintains its actions are needed to uphold agency integrity while the investigation continues.