Almost two dozen senators are calling on EPA employees who were fired after they openly castigated the Trump administration to be restored to their jobs.
Democratic caucus senators sent a letter Tuesday to Administrator Lee Zeldin requesting he pull back discipline meted out to those agency staffers. Last year, EPA pushed back against the employees after they signed a public dissent letter that blasted President Donald Trump and his appointees for their treatment of science and staff at the agency.
“Overturning the punishments is crucial to prevent a chilling effect on free speech,” the lawmakers told Zeldin. “Stifling dissent cripples the agency’s ability to protect the public and is causing the loss of the experienced staff needed to carry out EPA’s mission.”
Twenty-two senators signed Tuesday’s letter, which was led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). EPA’s press office acknowledged questions for this story but didn’t provide a response.
