Trump administration targets EPA jobs in cost-cutting move
The Donald Trump administration is fulfilling its pre-election promises to cut federal spending, with a focus on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). More than 1,000 agency employees may lose their jobs as part of the planned cuts.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a U.S. government organization extensively involved in environmental protection. In the automotive world, it is primarily known for its detailed range and efficiency tests of vehicles offered in the American market. Many indications suggest that under Trump’s administration, the EPA's role will be reduced.
The Trump administration has taken steps to reduce the number of federal employees, which could weaken the EPA. Many EPA employees hired in the last year received information that they are in a "probationary period" and may be dismissed at any time. This message was a harsh reminder that their positions are not guaranteed, sparking fears of widespread layoffs.
The President of the American Federation of Government Employees, representing about 8,500 EPA employees, confirmed in an interview with NBC News that around 1,100 people received such notices. However, she also confirmed that none of these employees have been dismissed.
"It was scary for people to receive the message, as you can imagine, and we’re inundated with questions from those folks. The agency obviously can dismiss probationary employees, but it has to be for cause," she said.
It is not precisely known how many jobs the Trump administration plans to eliminate at the EPA, but employees are among many federal officials who have been offered severance packages.
Not only are the EPA employees targeted, but the administration has also scrutinized the organization itself. Trump has frozen grants and allocations for the EPA, and the effects of this freeze are already being felt.
