EPA cuts raise concerns about clean air and water protections

President Donald Trump’s administration is rapidly downsizing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, raising questions about whether it can still enforce key environmental protections.

Lylla Younes reports for Grist.

In short:

• The Trump administration offered millions of federal workers a choice: resign with eight months’ pay or risk being laid off, affecting over 1,100 EPA employees.
• The administration plans to shut down the Office of Environmental Justice, which manages billions in climate crisis funds for vulnerable communities.
• Critics argue these cuts will weaken enforcement of environmental laws, with states lacking the expertise and funding to fill the gap.

Key quote:

“You take for granted that you can drink the water out of your faucet. You can do that because of the EPA.”

— Steve Gilrein, former EPA official

Why this matters:

The Environmental Protection Agency has long served as the nation’s watchdog for clean air, water and public health. Its enforcement of environmental laws has curbed industrial pollution, limited toxic exposure and helped mitigate climate risks. But efforts to shrink its workforce could significantly weaken these protections, shifting the burden to state governments that often lack the resources to enforce regulations on their own. A diminished EPA could mean slower responses to pollution violations, reduced oversight of hazardous industries and fewer resources for climate resilience programs. The agency also plays a critical role in funding environmental justice initiatives, which help vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by pollution.

Related: New EPA chief plans cuts, industry hires and a focus on AI