Lee Zeldin, a Trump ally with limited environmental experience, is poised to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, where he’s expected to champion aggressive deregulation of climate protections.
In short:
- Former Congressman Lee Zeldin of New York, nominated to lead the EPA, faces scrutiny over his qualifications and alignment with Trump’s plans to weaken climate regulations.
- Despite touting support for clean air and water, Zeldin has a record of opposing key environmental legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act and air and water protections.
- Critics, including Senator Edward Markey, question whether Zeldin prioritizes safeguarding public health and the environment over political loyalty to Trump.
Key quote:
“My questions go to what the EPA priorities would be under his leadership.”
— Senator Edward J. Markey, Massachusetts Democrat
Why this matters:
For Trump, Zeldin seems to be the perfect ally to turbocharge the rollback of climate rules and possibly even shrink the EPA’s scope altogether. If confirmed, Zeldin’s tenure could mark a pivotal moment for the EPA — one where public health and climate priorities are left hanging in the balance. Will Zeldin’s loyalty lie with the environment or his political benefactor?
Read more: Donald Trump wins US presidency. What that could mean for the environment
