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.
Coral Davenport reports for The New York Times.
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
