President-elect Donald Trump has appointed former Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in his upcoming administration. Trump characterized Zeldin, a Republican who served four terms in Congress, as a staunch supporter of “America First policies” and pledged that he would facilitate prompt deregulation while ensuring high environmental standards.
In his welcoming statement, Trump expressed confidence in Zeldin’s ability to implement new regulatory standards that would promote healthy growth for American businesses while protecting vital resources such as clean air and water. Zeldin, expressing his gratitude for the Cabinet position, highlighted his commitment to revitalizing key sectors of the economy, including the energy and automotive industries, while maintaining environmental protections.
Zeldin’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation, where Republicans will hold a majority when the new Congress begins in January. The EPA’s budget for the 2024 fiscal year is set at $9.1 billion, and the agency employs over 15,000 staff members.
Following the announcement, Zeldin emphasized the need to reduce regulations that hinder business performance in a televised interview. He criticized certain policies he associates with left-leaning agendas that he believes negatively impact U.S. companies.
This marks Trump’s second Cabinet appointment for his upcoming term, coming shortly after other staffing selections including Susie Wiles as White House Chief of Staff and Tom Homan as “border czar.”
On environmental policy, Trump appears to be leaning towards withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement and repealing President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which channels funding into clean energy initiatives. Zeldin and his fellow Republicans have been critical of the climate law during their congressional tenure.
The appointment has sparked considerable backlash from environmental organizations. Ben Jealous, Executive Director of the Sierra Club, criticized Zeldin as unqualified and harmful to environmental priorities. Jeremy Symons, a senior advisor for the Environmental Protection Network, echoed this sentiment, referencing Zeldin’s past legislative actions that undercut the EPA operationally.
Zeldin is currently chair of a China policy initiative at a conservative think tank established by former Trump administration officials. He previously gained attention for a competitive gubernatorial race in New York in 2022, where he narrowly lost to Democrat Kathy Hochul, a campaign that some believe significantly contributed to Republican gains in the House of Representatives that election cycle.
While the selection has provoked criticism from environmental advocates, it presents an opportunity for Trump to implement his vision for business deregulation, which supporters argue could lead to economic growth and job creation. The coming months will be critical in determining how Zeldin’s leadership and Trump’s policies will shape the EPA’s role in balancing environmental protection with economic development.