Imagine getting a call that flips your work life upside down. That’s what happened on Thursday evening when the Trump administration placed at least 160 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees on paid leave—effective immediately.
This decision follows President Donald Trump’s executive order to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives. According to reports from ABC News and CNN, staffers were told the move is part of efforts to comply with the order, but the details remain fuzzy. How long will the leave last? No one seems to know.
What We Know So Far
Environmental justice employees in regional offices were given a heads-up earlier this week not to come to work. In total, at least 1,000 EPA staff members have received notices saying they’re on probation and may lose their jobs.
“This is the call we have all dreaded,” said Theresa Segovia, acting Assistant Administrator of the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, during a recorded call obtained by CNN.
She went on to explain that employees still have a chance to accept a buyout offer from the government, thanks to a deadline extension granted by a judge earlier in the day.
Who’s Affected?
The affected employees are primarily part of the EPA’s environmental justice division, which employs about 200 people. Under Trump’s DEI executive order, environmental justice offices and roles are being entirely phased out.
What’s Next?
While there’s uncertainty surrounding these changes, the ripple effects are clear: dedicated staff who’ve worked on environmental justice issues now face an uncertain future. This shake-up has left many wondering what this means for the EPA’s efforts to address environmental challenges in vulnerable communities.
Stay tuned as this story unfolds—there’s no doubt it will spark plenty of debate and discussion about the future of environmental justice and equity in government policies.
