139 employees to leave: US environment agency EPA employees put on administrative leave for Trump policies
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) put 139 employees on administrative leave on Thursday (local time) when he signed a public letter, rapidly criticizing the environmental policies of President Donald Trump. A letter called the “Decision of Decent” signed by EPA employees accused the federal government of harmful deragulation, ignoring scientific consensus to benefit pollutants, and promoted the culture of fear within the agency. Employees were soon informed that they were transferred to “temporary, non-fees, payment status” for the next two weeks, pending an administrative inquiry. In an internal email, the agency clarified that there was no disciplinary action reported by the Measures Associate Press. However, the EPA defended its decision, citing a zero-optimity policy illegally, illegally reducing the agenda of the Trump administration, sabotage and undercutting “a” zero-violations policy for career. More than 170 current and recently eliminated EPA employees added their names to the letter, while about 100 others signed anonymous signed citing vengeance fears. The public version of the letter later removed the names of the signators. The letter emerged between a new round of employees deducted in the EPA and a major internal restructuring, including the disintegration of the agency’s research office and cancellation of billions of dollars in grants. The first version of the letter was sent directly to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin before making public public. In a statement released on Thursday, the agency reiterated its stance, saying that it would not tolerate the tasks that weaken the goals of the administration, and defend the employees’ leave as part of their commitment to maintain the integrity of the agency.
