by At least five employees with the Environmental Protection Agency’s New England office have been put on administrative leave after signing an
open letter
criticizing the Trump administration’s environmental policies.
Addressed to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the letter accused federal officials of “recklessly undermining the EPA mission,” also raising concerns about “the current administration’s focus on harmful deregulation, mischaracterization of previous EPA actions, and disregard for scientific expertise.”
In all, 620 people signed the letter — including current and former EPA employees — and thousands more voiced their support on a
landing page
organized by the nonprofit Stand Up for Science. The EPA confirmed it has placed a total of 139 staffers on leave nationwide pending an investigation, alleging that the letter contained misleading information and that employees signed using their official titles.
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The suspensions quickly drew backlash as accusations of retaliation flew, and the agency’s investigation came as a surprise to some in Boston.
“I was not expecting much to come of this petition,” explained Lilly Simmons, president of AFGE Local 3428, which represents more than 400 EPA employees in New England. “Perhaps, a petition or letter leads to discussion, but not investigation. This situation is unheard of in my 20 years of working. If anything, these investigations are proof that the administrator is promoting a climate of fear.”
Speaking via email in her personal capacity as union president, Simmons said at least five New England staffers are out on 10 days of paid administrative leave amid the pending investigation, which could ultimately result in the employees’ dismissal. The impacts to the EPA’s New England office were previously reported by
WBUR
and
GBH
.
The suspension notices went out July 3, with the administrative leave running until July 17. According to Simmons, it remains unclear exactly what the agency is investigating.
“The Environmental Protection Agency has a zero-tolerance policy for career bureaucrats unlawfully undermining, sabotaging, and undercutting the administration’s agenda as voted for by the great people of this country last November,” an EPA spokesperson said in a statement.
Yet Simmons indicated she hasn’t seen an official policy to that effect. The oath of office and
whistleblower laws
also obligate federal employees to speak up when their agency’s mission is being compromised, she argued.
“There is nothing wrong with writing a letter to your boss or signing a petition in your personal capacity,” Simmons said. “The notices that people received noted that discipline could follow, but again, it’s not clear why that would happen.”
She also found it surprising union leaders reportedly did not receive notices of administrative leave in connection with the letter.
“While union leaders have a long history of being able to engage in vigorous discussion with management, it feels more like a strategy to sow division amongst members,” Simmons added. “I don’t think it will work, our union is strong and this situation gives us a chance to show our value.”
A post shared by AFGE Council 238 (@officialafge238)
Like many federal agencies, the EPA has experienced a period of turmoil since President Donald Trump began his second term, from
mass layoffs
to Zeldin’s stated mission of
rolling back rules
on environmental issues such as climate change and coal-fired power plants.
According to Simmons, AFGE Local 3428 has made itself available to talk with staffers placed on leave, even if they’re not paying union members. Nationally, she said, AFGE Council 238 is in talks with management in hopes of getting folks back on the job. The matter has also
drawn lawmakers’ attention
on Capitol Hill.
But in the meantime, according to Simmons, every project involving the 139 suspended EPA employees will be delayed.
“Their program offices have to spend time shuffling work, time that would otherwise be advancing our mission,” Simmons explained. “Again, retaliation like this is meant to scare us. If this is the reaction after responsibly exercising your right to respectfully disagree: what’s next? People are on edge and distracted.”
Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between. She has been covering the Karen Read murder case.
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