EPA fires or reassigns hundreds of staffers
The Environmental Protection Agency plans to fire or reassign more than 450 staffers working on environmental justice issues, it said Tuesday.
Why it matters: The large-scale changes could effectively end much of the EPA's work tackling pollution in historically disadvantaged communities.
It's part of the Trump administration's effort to vastly shrink the federal workforce. EPA has around 15,000 employees.
Driving the news: EPA notified roughly 280 employees that they will be fired in a "reduction in force." Another 175 who perform "statutory functions" will be reassigned.
The employees come from the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, the Office of Inclusive Excellence, and EPA regional offices.
"EPA is taking the next step to terminate the Biden-Harris Administration's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Environmental Justice arms of the agency," a spokesperson said.
Between the lines: The firings will likely see challenges from congressional Democrats and the employees themselves.
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