‘This week has been hell,’ EPA defenders say

By Kevin Bogardus | 01/31/2025 04:18 PM EST

“I don’t want us to let our guard down,” said Marie Owens Powell, the president of the agency’s biggest union.

Marie Owens Powell, new president of AFGE Council 238, EPA's largest union.

Marie Owens Powell, the president of AFGE Council 238, EPA's largest union, holds a placard stating "Pay us for our work" at a demonstration during a government shutdown in 2019. Mark Makela/Getty Images

The leader of EPA’s largest union said she expects more staff to be put on paid leave under President Donald Trump’s push to root out diversity programs across the federal government.

Marie Owens Powell, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 238, which represents more than 8,000 EPA employees, said Friday that three staffers have been placed on administrative leave because they held diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, or DEIA, positions at the agency.

But more are sure to follow, she predicted, considering the build-out of EPA’s environmental justice program during the prior administration, a top priority of former President Joe Biden that has been targeted by Trump.

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“We have stood up new environmental justice offices across the country,” Powell said. “I don’t want us to let our guard down. I expect hundreds will be put on this list.”

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