"The EPA on Friday terminated at least five of the roughly 140 employees who signed a public letter in June critical of the agency’s political leadership, according to the staffers’ union.

At least 10 other tenured employees have gotten a notice of proposed removal, said Nicole Cantello, an EPA lawyer and president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 704. The remaining staffers’ administrative leave has been extended.

An EPA spokeswoman confirmed that agency supervisors “made decisions on an individualized basis” after a thorough internal investigation, but didn’t answer questions about how many staffers were affected, saying the agency doesn’t comment on individual personnel matters.

The letter, addressed to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, claimed the agency has ignored scientific consensus to benefit polluters, turned its back on environmental justice communities, and promoted “a culture of fear, forcing staff to choose between their livelihood and well-being.”"

Stephen Lee reports for Bloomberg Environment August 29, 2025. [2]