Trump admin to put 100 ‘environmental justice’ EPA workers on leave: report

The changes are expected to begin this week and could take place as soon as Thursday, and are part of Trump’s executive order to cut DEI and “environmental justice” programs. Employees in other EPA divisions may also be impacted by the move.

While employees on administrative leave continue to receive salary and benefits, they can only be placed on leave for 10 days per calendar year, according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. After 10 days, it's unclear what will happen.

Staffers at the EPA’s environmental justice office were informed that the agency is compiling a list of those working on climate change projects. During the Biden administration, the office at the EPA had around 200 employees and the agency got billions of dollars to spend on climate change projects as a result of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

The IRA also included funds for so-called, “environmental justice,” where the Biden administration used targeted health programs meant to treat pollution exposure for lower-income and minority communities.

Republicans have called the office and “environmental justice” programs into question, saying that the programs have unclear goals and may not actually benefit lower-income communities.

Supporter of “environmental justice” Michelle Roos, the executive director of the Environmental Protection Network, called the cuts to the programs a “witch hunt” and said that more people will suffer because communities may not get access to clean water and air. An EPA spokesperson said the agency is “working to diligently implement President Trump’s executive orders” with regard to DEI.