EPA Places 139 Employees on Leave for Dissent

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has placed approximately 139 employees on administrative leave after they signed a public 'Declaration of Dissent' criticizing the Trump administration's environmental policies and the leadership of Administrator Lee Zeldin. The letter, endorsed by hundreds of current and former EPA workers, accused the administration of undermining the agency's mission, disregarding scientific consensus, cutting environmental justice initiatives, and fostering a culture of fear. The EPA is investigating whether staff improperly used official titles and agency resources to sign the letter and maintains a 'zero-tolerance policy' against what it calls 'unlawful undermining' of its agenda. Several employees were escorted out of their offices, and union representatives have pledged to defend workers’ rights to free speech. The move has drawn criticism from employee unions as part of a broader crackdown on internal dissent within federal agencies. The EPA defends its actions as necessary to preserve agency integrity and support administration priorities.