EPA Plans to Cut Over 1,000 Scientists Amid Budget Reductions

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is facing significant workforce reductions, with plans to dismantle its Office of Research and Development (ORD), potentially resulting in the layoffs of 50 to 75 percent of its 1,540 staff, including chemists and toxicologists. This move, part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to cut the EPA's budget by 65%, has raised concerns about the agency's ability to enforce science-based regulations essential for public health and environmental protection. Criticism from Democratic legislators has highlighted the risks of politicizing scientific research and undermining the EPA's mission. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin's proposal has reportedly caught many employees off-guard, prompting urgent questions about job security and the future of their work. Despite the planned cuts, EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseliou emphasized the agency's commitment to enhancing its capabilities, although many view these changes as detrimental to its scientific integrity. The proposed layoffs and restructuring are currently under review by the White House, with no final decisions made yet.