Over the past week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has placed 171 employees on administrative leave. This action follows the implementation of President Trump's executive order aimed at ending what he described as "radical and wasteful" government programs related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and Environmental Justice.

According to the EPA, 11 employees from DEIA and 160 from Environmental Justice have been affected by this decision. The move is part of a broader initiative under President Trump’s administration to refocus the agency's efforts on its core mission.

Administrator Lee Zeldin stated, “Under President Trump, the EPA will be focused on our core mission to protect human health and the environment while Powering the Great American Comeback." He criticized previous administrations for using DEI and Environmental Justice initiatives to promote ideological priorities that involved substantial financial distributions in pursuit of climate equity.

Zeldin emphasized a commitment to fiscal responsibility and environmental protection for all Americans: "We will be good stewards of tax dollars and do everything in our power to deliver clean air, land, and water to every American, regardless of race, religion, background, and creed.”