On Friday, the Trump administration informed eight employees of their termination after they signed a letter opposing current policies at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This was reported by the Associated Press.
The EPA stated, “We have a zero tolerance policy for career staff misusing their positions and titles to undermine the will of the American people, which was clearly expressed in last November’s election,” as noted by the Washington Post.
The letter had numerous anonymous signers, although some names were included.
Agency spokesperson Carolyn Hollan remarked that the letter included misleading details and represented “a small percentage of the thousands of dedicated EPA employees.”
The United States Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents federal workers, has called the actions at the EPA illegal.
“The administration’s retaliatory measures against these employees are direct attacks on their rights to work and express themselves,” stated Justin Chen of AFGE Council 238.
Another AFGE leader suggested that the strategy was meant to intimidate other employees regarding the administration’s agenda and leadership.
“They are essentially trying to coerce employees and ensure that no one speaks out when it comes to protecting public health and the environment,” Nicole Cantello, president of AFGE Local 704, which represents 1,000 EPA workers in Chicago, told the Post.
According to the Associated Press, six of those fired were on probation while the other two had career status.
