Zeldin to EPA staff: ‘I want to partner with you’

By Kevin Bogardus | 02/04/2025 04:15 PM EST

The administrator’s speech comes during a tense time at the agency as President Donald Trump has set out to reduce the federal government.

Lee Zeldin testifies during his confirmation hearing.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. Francis Chung/POLITICO

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin struck a bipartisan pose in his first speech to agency staff Tuesday, saying he would fight for the agency’s budget on Capitol Hill and telling employees, “I want this to be a strong team.”

Zeldin spoke at EPA headquarters in downtown Washington, where employees piled into the Rachel Carson Green Room or tuned in over a Teams livestream. The former New York Republican congressman praised the agency’s work in responding to environmental disasters that have grabbed national attention.

Zeldin said EPA has supporters of all stripes, saying it doesn’t matter whether one is from a blue, red or purple state; conservative, moderate or liberal; or Republican, Democrat or independent.

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“I have found that Americans all across this country care about the mission of the EPA,” Zeldin said. “It’s as personal as it gets, for their family, for their community, for their loved ones and really for the future of this country.”

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