Employees of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took to the streets in cities across the United States today to express their opposition to significant funding cuts imposed by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The agency’s mission is to safeguard human health and the environment.
Musk, widely regarded as the poster child for DOGE, drew more attention at the protests than Trump himself. Demonstrators in New York City voiced their anger with chants such as, “How do you spell corruption? E-L-O-N.” Some participants carried signs condemning Musk’s influence, declaring, “This man is not our boss.” Over 150 people participated in the rally, rhythmically chanting to the tune of a popular Ludacris song, “Move, DOGE, get out the way,” as well as urging, “What do we do when clean land, air, water, and science are under attack? Stand up, fight back!”
The protests were coordinated by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Council 238, which organized marches in eight cities for a ‘National Day of Action.’ Workers expressed grave concerns over proposals aimed at dismantling the EPA and diminishing protective regulations against pollution, arguing that these moves pose serious risks to the American public.
“I work on enforcing regulations that deal with hazardous waste and toxic substances, which is work that I feel is not a partisan issue.”
Suzanne Englot, an enforcement attorney at the EPA, remarked, “I work on enforcing regulations that deal with hazardous waste and toxic substances, which is work that I feel is not a partisan issue. Everyone wants to make sure that hazardous waste and toxic substances are properly regulated, disposed of, and stored. But in these times, it makes me nervous that things are going to change.”
The Trump administration has put in place executive orders that restrict the EPA from taking action against energy production unless there is an “imminent and substantial” health threat. This directive follows a memo issued by EPA leadership.
Meanwhile, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin proclaimed what he deemed “the greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen.” He announced plans to roll back numerous regulations designed to limit pollution from various sectors, including power plants, oil and gas refineries, and automotive manufacturing.
In addition to regulatory rollbacks, the Trump administration has sought to dissolve the agency’s scientific research office and its environmental justice offices. The administration is considering a 65 percent budget cut for the EPA, leading to mass layoffs that recently prompted a federal judge to intervene and order the reemployment of some affected workers.
Both Trump and Musk have criticized environmental regulations as detrimental to businesses during past election cycles. In a recent podcast, Trump pointed out that environmentally friendly practices come with higher costs.
Musk echoed these sentiments by arguing for sensible budgeting and a reduction in regulations while maintaining that the oil and gas industry is essential for current civilization.
Harper Stanfield, an environmental engineer with the EPA, voiced her concerns at the rally, stating, “Elon is perpetuating a climate of fear and targeting federal workers and the mission that they carry out to protect human health and the environment. We can’t let EPA be silenced by billionaires.”
Trump has received substantial financial support from the oil and gas sector, totaling tens of millions of dollars, while Musk has invested over $250 million in efforts to aid Trump’s election campaign. Subsequently, Trump appointed Musk to lead DOGE, giving him significant influence over federal operations.
The EPA, in a communication to media, stated they are attentive to employee feedback and have made staffing reductions in line with Trump’s directives to eliminate programs seen as focusing on diversity and equity.
Stanfield and Englot urged Congress to take action to serve as a counterbalance to executive power, calling on the public to reach out to their local representatives to advocate for the EPA’s mission.
Englot emphasized the universal relevance of the EPA’s work, stating, “Democrat, Republican, independent, whoever it is, everyone is impacted by this. EPA’s work touches everyone’s lives.”
