The Fight for the Heart of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
In the winter of 2024, Montana Krukowski left his job with the Michigan state government to take his dream position at the Chicago regional office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. There, he devoted himself to helping tribal governments keep their drinking water free from harmful bacteria. He also oversaw commercial airlines based in the Midwest to ensure they provided passengers with safe drinking water. As the calendar ticked over to 2025, Krukowski knew the incoming administration of President Donald Trump would make changes to his new workplace. As a scientist, he just wanted to do his job. But the wave of executive orders from the White House and pronouncements from the EPA’s new leaders stirred up unmanageable turmoil.
First, the administration froze routine travel and spending across many agencies. Krukowski’s coworkers had to stall trips to inspect tribal and municipal water systems. Then, in February 2025, the EPA’s new administrator, Lee Zeldin, announced a new overarching initiative at the agency: “Powering the Great American Comeback.” Alongside its work on clean air, water, and land, Zeldin directed the agency to focus on “energy dominance” and making the United States “the artificial intelligence capital of the world.” In practice, many current and former EPA workers say this has marked a wholesale shift in emphasis that is thwarting the agency’s original mission.
Zeldin and the Trump administration “came in with very strong opinions and plans to really deeply undermine a lot of what we’ve kind of understood to be core foundations,” said a current EPA worker who spoke on condition of anonymity. They even axed programs “that we didn’t think were controversial.”
The EPA’s new leaders canceled hundreds of grants — including money earmarked for water sampling and treatment, such as the work done by Krukowski’s program. They also slashed efforts to combat lead poisoning, curb the health effects of wildfire smoke and heat waves, and reduce childhood asthma.
But in the middle of all this, current and former federal employees have become a powerful force fighting the dismantling of agencies like the EPA. They’re planning for the future as they grapple with the present, asking: If a government that supports science and environmental protection is elected in the future, what might it take to rebuild agencies like the EPA? And, what needs to change to protect their scientific integrity from future political assaults?
To Krukowski and other workers, many of the changes made to the EPA have looked like overt efforts to prioritize industry needs over science, public health, and ecosystem protection.
The agency has tossed aside datasets that help communities plan for floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and even hostile security attacks. Because of President Trump’s executive order against “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” the EPA has also scrapped major efforts associated with environmental justice, including programs that pinpointed communities facing specific health and pollution risks. One such casualty was EJScreen, an analytical tool that helps identify locations where people are particularly susceptible to pollution, such as where a school sits too close to a highway or other source of diesel pollution, locations with elevated rates of asthma or cancer, or neighborhoods where lead-based paint still lingers.
Missy Haniewicz, a former EPA employee based in Denver, Colorado, felt blindsided when the screening tool was taken down. “To have the whole mission change, it’s emotionally upsetting,” she said.
The issue of professionally upsetting situations within government agencies is not unique to the EPA. Many federal workers across various departments have faced challenges and consequences for speaking out against policies or actions they believe are harmful or unethical. The Trump administration’s approach to handling dissent within agencies has raised concerns about the suppression of scientific research and the silencing of experts.
The dismantling of programs like IRIS at the EPA highlights the impact of industry influence on government decision-making. The push to ban the use of scientific assessments in regulatory processes undermines the agency’s ability to protect public health and the environment effectively. The targeting of employees who speak out against these changes creates a culture of fear and insecurity among staff, ultimately weakening the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission.
The retaliation faced by EPA employees like Krukowski, Haniewicz, and Sullivant for signing a letter of dissent is a stark reminder of the risks government workers take when speaking out against policies they believe are harmful. The mass firings, administrative leave, and retribution faced by these employees send a chilling message to others who may consider speaking up.
Despite the challenges they face, former EPA employees are fighting back against their terminations and working to protect the rights of government workers to speak out. Government watchdog groups are advocating for the rights of federal employees and pushing for accountability and transparency within agencies.
The impact of professionally upsetting situations within government agencies extends beyond individual employees to the larger mission of these organizations. The suppression of dissent and the targeting of experts can have far-reaching consequences for public health, environmental protection, and scientific integrity. It is essential to support and protect government workers who speak out against policies that undermine the public interest and to ensure that agencies can fulfill their mandates effectively and ethically.
Geological Survey; and the Department of Health and Human Services. This has left a significant gap in oversight and accountability within the federal government.
In response, PEER has filed several lawsuits against the Trump administration on behalf of federal workers who have faced retaliation for speaking out against wrongdoing. The organization has also pushed for stronger protections for federal employees who report misconduct, including advocating for legislation that would strengthen the existing whistleblower protection laws.
PEER is also working to address the broader issue of maintaining scientific integrity within the federal government. The organization has called for the establishment of an independent scientific integrity office within each federal agency, tasked with ensuring that scientific research and findings are free from political interference and that employees are protected when reporting misconduct. This would help insulate federal scientists and experts from the changing priorities of future administrations, ensuring that their work continues to be guided by evidence and data.
Overall, organizations like the Environmental Protection Network and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility are playing a crucial role in protecting the integrity of the federal workforce and ensuring that environmental protection remains a priority for the government. By supporting federal employees, advocating for stronger whistleblower protections, and promoting scientific integrity, these groups are working to create a more resilient and accountable EPA that can withstand the challenges of the future.
They want to keep their jobs and keep doing the work that they believe in. They’re hanging in there, and they’re going to fight.”
In response to these challenges, the Geological Survey and the National Park Service, along with the Department of Commerce overseeing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, have been working to protect scientific integrity and ensure the continuation of vital research and environmental protection efforts. These agencies play crucial roles in monitoring and studying the Earth’s natural resources, landscapes, and climate, providing valuable data and insights that inform policy decisions and conservation efforts.
The Geological Survey conducts research on geological and geophysical issues, mapping the landscape, studying natural hazards, and assessing mineral and energy resources. The National Park Service manages and protects the country’s national parks, preserving natural and cultural heritage sites for future generations. The Department of Commerce oversees the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, responsible for monitoring the oceans and atmosphere, conducting research on climate change, and providing weather forecasts and warnings.
These agencies are committed to upholding scientific integrity, promoting transparency, and ensuring that their work is guided by the best available evidence and expertise. By maintaining a strong commitment to ethical standards and scientific rigor, they can continue to fulfill their important missions of protecting the environment, advancing knowledge, and serving the public interest.
Despite the challenges posed by recent policy changes and political pressures, the Geological Survey, the National Park Service, and the Department of Commerce remain dedicated to their core values of scientific excellence, environmental stewardship, and public service. Through collaboration with partners, stakeholders, and the scientific community, they will continue to advance our understanding of the Earth and its natural systems, working towards a sustainable and resilient future for all. A group of dedicated scientists and conservationists are determined to rebuild an agency that has been neglected and overlooked in recent years. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, they are determined to ensure that the agency is ready to spring back into action when political support for science and conservation returns.
According to one of the agency’s employees, Sue Cantello, the goal is to keep the agency alive so that it can continue its important work in environmental protection. Cantello emphasized the importance of preserving the agency’s expertise and knowledge so that they can hit the ground running when the time comes.
The team is focused on laying the groundwork for the agency’s revival, even in the face of uncertain times. They are working tirelessly to ensure that the agency is well-positioned to take on new challenges and continue its mission of protecting the environment.
Despite the obstacles they face, the team remains optimistic about the future. They are determined to keep the agency’s spirit alive and are committed to rebuilding it from the ground up. With their dedication and passion for conservation, they are confident that they will be able to make a difference in the fight to protect our planet.
As political support for science and conservation begins to shift, the team is hopeful that they will be able to fully engage in environmental protection once again. They are poised and ready to take on new projects and initiatives that will help to safeguard our natural world for future generations.
In conclusion, the team’s determination to rebuild this agency is a testament to their unwavering commitment to environmental protection. With their expertise and passion, they are well-equipped to take on the challenges that lie ahead and ensure that the agency can continue its important work for years to come.
