The Trump EPA is preparing to replenish its depleted ranks — with a boost in personnel projected for the chemicals program — after thousands left the agency last year.
Internal documents detail EPA’s plans to hire in 2026 after significant downsizing and reshaping took hold since President Donald Trump’s return to office. Under the proposal, EPA’s chemicals office, facing a lengthy assessments backlog, could get dozens of new hires while experts versed in multiple fields could come aboard to troubleshoot across the agency.
Yet hundreds of other staffers may leave this year due to retirements and firings, according to the records.
Former EPA officials said the plan shows federal employees will be needed to accomplish the agency’s mission, especially after so many parted ways last year.
