Environmental Justice Workers Locked Out of EPA Seattle Office: A Historic Purge Unfolds

Nine employees at the Environmental Protection Agency’s Seattle office have recently been placed on leave by the Trump Administration. Their role focuses on environmental justice, an area aimed at helping communities affected by pollution.

These communities often face higher pollution levels from sources like airports and factories. This exposure is linked to lower incomes, a higher proportion of people of color, and shorter lifespans. On Monday, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that a total of 160 employees engaged in environmental justice initiatives and 11 working on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility have been put on leave.

Zeldin stated that previous administrations misused these initiatives, claiming it was time to change course. He emphasized that the EPA should focus on serving all Americans fairly, regardless of their background.

However, inquiries about this decision have gone unanswered by EPA officials. Former EPA employee Helen Bottcher described the situation as a “purge” from the agency. She noted that the Seattle office, which serves the wider Pacific Northwest region, locked these employees out of their offices and systems last Thursday.

Currently, Bottcher said that these employees are still receiving their pay, but the uncertainty of their future—whether they might be fired or reassigned—creates a chaotic environment. She stated, “It’s just chaos,” suggesting that it very well might be intentional, aiming to instill fear and division among staff.

The shift away from prioritizing environmental justice extends beyond just staffing decisions. Under the Biden administration, the EPA encouraged its staff to focus on the communities most harmed by pollution. But now, crucial tools like EJSCREEN, which helps identify these communities, have been removed from the agency’s systems. An anonymous employee expressed frustration about this abrupt change, stating that halting consideration of environmental justice in their work was a complete reversal.

Previous funding allocations showed a commitment to supporting such communities. In 2024, the EPA awarded several significant grants in Washington state for projects aimed at enhancing community resilience and health, including:

• $20 million for clean air refuges in Okanagan County.
• $20 million for wildfire prevention techniques on Yakama Nation land.
• $19.9 million for installing heat pumps in low-income areas around Spokane.
• $3 million for training community leaders in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Bottcher reported that despite the fear of potential repercussions from the administration, EPA employees are still trying to fulfill their duties. In a troubling statement, Russel Vought, head of the Office of Management and Budget, suggested in a speech that they want to create a hostile work environment for agency staff. U.S. Senator Patty Murray criticized this approach, calling it irresponsible and alarming. Bottcher echoed this sentiment, asserting that while the EPA is still operational, the threats to its integrity are becoming more evident.