EPA Suspends 130 Employees Over Dissent Letter

The Environmental Protection Agency suspended more than 130 employees without pay for 14 days after they signed a letter of dissent in July. The letter criticized the Trump administration's climate and public health regulations. The agency cited conduct unbecoming of a federal employee as the reason for the disciplinary action, which followed an administrative investigation and a period of administrative leave for approximately 140 staffers.

The agency stated it maintains a zero-tolerance policy for career officials who use their positions to undermine the will of the public. The move was characterized by the agency as a necessary response to officials attempting to sabotage the administration's goals.

AFGE Council 238, the union representing the staff, condemned the suspensions as an attempt to squash dissent and prevent workers from protecting American lives. Union leadership claimed the personnel actions, including the initial administrative leave and subsequent suspensions, wasted over 47,000 work hours and $2 million.