Democrats question Zeldin on climate change

By Kevin Bogardus | 01/16/2025 01:47 PM EST

President-elect Donald Trump’s EPA nominee said he believes global warming is real.

Lee Zeldin during his confirmation hearing.

Lee Zeldin, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for EPA administrator, told senators at his confirmation hearing Thursday that he supports an “all of the above energy” strategy. Francis Chung/POLITICO

Lee Zeldin, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for EPA administrator, parried questions from Democratic senators who tried to delve into his understanding of climate change.

Zeldin, who appeared before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Thursday, espoused his bipartisan bona fides but was pressed on Trump’s ties to the fossil fuel industry and dismissal of the global warming threat.

“Do you agree with President-elect Trump that climate change is a hoax?” asked Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

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“I believe that climate change is real,” Zeldin said. He added Trump’s “hoax” comment was related to policies designed to mitigate climate change, not the science behind the phenomenon.

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