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Six Former EPA Employees Sue Administrator Lee Zeldin, Alleging First Amendment Violations

12:28 AM, 12/04/2025
Six Former EPA Employees Sue Administrator Lee Zeldin, Alleging First Amendment Violations

Six former EPA employees have filed a First Amendment lawsuit alleging they were fired after signing an open letter that criticized the agency for politicizing science. Represented by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, the plaintiffs say the dismissals undermine free-speech protections and strip the EPA of critical expertise. The agency previously put 139 staff on leave and announced plans to cut at least 23% of its workforce and close its scientific research office.

WASHINGTON, Dec 3 — Six former employees of the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday filed a federal lawsuit alleging their First Amendment rights were violated when they were dismissed after publicly protesting what they described as the politicization of science under the Trump administration.

The plaintiffs say they were fired earlier this year after signing an open letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin that accused the agency of endangering public health by allowing political considerations to guide scientific research. The group is represented by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).

Background

In July, the EPA placed 139 employees on administrative leave after they signed the dissent letter. At the time, the agency said it would have "zero tolerance" for employees it believed were undermining the government's agenda. Separately, the EPA announced plans to reduce its workforce by at least 23% and to close its scientific research office as part of a broader effort to downsize and reorganize the agency.

The lawsuit argues these actions not only suppress protected employee speech but also remove experienced staff whose work helps protect public health and the environment.

Wider context

Earlier this year, agencies were instructed to coordinate with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — a short-lived office created to identify potential targets for large-scale staffing changes — as part of restructuring plans. That initiative moved quickly across federal agencies in the early months of the administration’s second term, proposing cuts, budget reductions, and reassignments to align work with administration priorities.

"The agency has the burden to prove that the employees engaged in misconduct and that this misconduct was severe enough to interfere with the employee’s work or another legitimate government objective," said Daniel Rosenthal, a partner at James & Hoffman, which represents unions and employees.

The plaintiffs seek relief under the First Amendment and ask the court to address the employment decisions they contend were retaliatory. The suit highlights potential legal and public-health implications if scientific staff are removed or sidelined for expressing concerns about politicization of their work.

Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; Editing by Aurora Ellis.

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