Trump Nominates Former GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin To Be EPA Administrator
President-elect Donald Trump has initiated a major shift to undo significant climate policies from the Biden administration, choosing former New York GOP Representative Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to The New York Post.
Zeldin, previously a U.S. Representative for New York’s 1st congressional district, challenged New York Governor Kathy Hochul in the 2022 election as the Republican nominee. Known for his conservative stance on many issues, he also has a military background, having served in the United States Army.
“I am deeply honored to have been asked by President Trump to serve in his Cabinet,” Zeldin said in a statement. “As EPA Administrator, we will restore American energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, make the United States the global leader of Artificial Intelligence advancement, and slash the red tape holding back American workers from upward economic mobility.”
He added, “We will accomplish all this while conserving our environment, protecting access to clean air and water, and keeping the American people healthy. I look forward to contributing to President Trump’s agenda to build a more prosperous future for our nation.”
Trump also commented on his choice of Zeldin, stating, “Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies. He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.”
As administrator, Zeldin will lead the EPA in implementing presidential policies on air and water quality, chemical regulation, waste management, and climate initiatives.
According to six sources cited by The New York Times, Trump’s transition team is actively shaping energy and environmental plans, guided by former cabinet officials and fossil fuel lobbyists. Their goal is to bring about sweeping changes to the agencies responsible for managing the nation’s air, water, climate, and public lands.
Trump’s team is preparing several executive orders and proclamations to reshape energy and climate policies. These initiatives reportedly include re-exiting the Paris climate agreement, dismantling offices that address pollution in underserved areas, and reducing national monument areas in the West to encourage drilling and mining. The strategy aligns with Trump’s supporters, who aim to remove policies they view as part of a “woke” agenda and ineffective for economic growth.
Additionally, Trump aims to reverse the Biden administration’s freeze on new natural gas export terminal permits and to rescind a longstanding waiver permitting California and other states to enforce stricter pollution standards than federal regulations. Insiders say the transition team is keen on advancing Trump’s plan to relocate thousands of federal employees, starting with those in the EPA.
On Monday, Trump also appointed Florida Republican Representative Mike Waltz as his national security adviser, continuing to shape his team for the upcoming term.
Waltz, a key Trump ally during the 2024 campaign, has led military outreach efforts and supported the Veterans for Trump coalition, Fox News reported. He is the first retired Green Beret to serve in Congress and has previously worked as a policy adviser to former Defense Secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report Waltz’s new appointment.