The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has terminated five employees who signed a letter expressing dissent against the Trump administration’s rollback of environmental regulations. This announcement was made on September 29, 2023, and follows a broader context of agency actions perceived as retaliatory against employees voicing concerns over pollution, climate, and health safety protocols.
The letter, known as the “Declaration of Dissent,” was released in June 2023 and garnered support from hundreds of EPA employees. It criticized the administration for undermining the agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment. In a statement, the EPA noted that “supervisors made decisions on an individualized basis” following investigations into the circumstances surrounding the letter.
The dissent highlighted several issues, including the agency’s alleged disregard for scientific evidence to benefit polluters and the dismantling of initiatives aimed at supporting disadvantaged communities. Many employees chose to remain anonymous when signing the letter to avoid potential repercussions, a concern that proved valid with the recent firings. The dismissed employees had been on paid leave since the letter’s release and were under investigation for preparing the document during work hours.
Michael Pasqua, an EPA employee responsible for managing drinking water safety in Wisconsin and a signatory of the declaration, stated, “The administration is blatantly lying about the sourced facts of our dissent letter, and are now blatantly retaliating and infringing on our constitutional rights.” His comments reflect a growing sense of frustration among EPA staff regarding the handling of dissent within the agency.
The firings come in the wake of a larger pattern of dismissals across federal scientific agencies. During the initial Trump administration, which saw Scott Pruitt serve as EPA administrator, more than 100 environmental regulations were rolled back. As Trump re-enters office, similar actions have been observed, including cuts to federal solar and wind power initiatives.
In July 2023, the administration moved to revoke the “endangerment” finding crucial for U.S. climate regulation, as established by a 2007 Supreme Court decision. In light of these developments, many federal employees, including those from NASA and the National Institutes of Health, have publicly signed letters of dissent—an unusual move for federal workers who typically refrain from such actions.
The recent firings have raised alarms among advocacy groups and employees alike. Colette Delawalla, a representative from the advocacy group Stand Up for Science, criticized the actions as a betrayal of dedicated public servants. “We all want clear air and water for ourselves and our families,” she stated. Delawalla emphasized that whistleblowing is legally protected, asserting that those dismissed had done nothing wrong.
In August 2023, similar concerns arose within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) when staff members released a “Katrina Declaration,” warning Congress about budget cuts affecting disaster prevention programs and the censorship of climate science. Following this, FEMA placed 36 non-anonymous signatories on administrative leave, mirroring the actions taken by the EPA.
This series of events has created a tense atmosphere within federal agencies, where employees fear retaliation for voicing their concerns. As the situation unfolds, it remains uncertain how these actions will impact the integrity and effectiveness of agencies tasked with protecting public health and the environment.
