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2mo ago

Trump Administration Moves to Close EPA's Environmental Justice Office

Over 160 employees placed on leave as part of executive order targeting diversity and equity initiatives, raising concerns about public health and environmental protections.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency building in Washington, DC, on August 21, 2024.
A flag with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency logo flies at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Signage is seen at the headquarters of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 10, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
Trump Guts EPA’s Environmental Justice Office, Putting Poorest Communities of Color at More Risk

Overview

  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun implementing President Trump's executive order to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, including shuttering the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR).
  • More than 160 EPA employees, primarily focused on aiding pollution-burdened communities, have been placed on administrative leave, with uncertainty about their future roles or terminations.
  • Environmental advocates warn that the closure of the OEJECR will disproportionately harm marginalized communities exposed to higher levels of pollution and toxic substances.
  • The administration has also taken offline EJScreen, a tool used to map pollution impacts on vulnerable populations, further hindering environmental justice efforts.
  • Critics argue the decision undermines decades of bipartisan progress in addressing environmental inequities, while the EPA claims it is restructuring to align with its mission and statutory duties.