Zeldin Picked For EPA Head
In a decisive move signaling his administration’s deregulatory focus, President-elect Donald Trump announced on Monday his selection of former Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-NY) as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The appointment of Zeldin, known for his legal expertise and commitment to Trump’s “America First” agenda, was first reported by the New York Post. With Zeldin’s extensive background in military intelligence and law, Trump praised him as a “true fighter” who is poised to oversee a new era of streamlined regulations that promise to empower American businesses while safeguarding environmental standards.
Zeldin, a 44-year-old former U.S. Army officer and attorney for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has spent years advocating for conservative policies and championing economic growth. In 2022, he made waves by running for New York’s governorship, where he narrowly missed a win against incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul. His alignment with Trump’s deregulatory approach and his extensive experience in public service likely contributed to his selection for this high-profile role.
Trump’s statement underscored Zeldin’s commitment to maintaining “the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet,” while pursuing an ambitious deregulatory strategy to boost American industry.
The former congressman himself outlined his vision for the agency, noting his goals of restoring American energy independence, revitalizing the auto industry, and establishing the U.S. as a global leader in artificial intelligence. “We will slash the red tape holding back American workers,” Zeldin vowed, adding that these steps would help “bring back American jobs” and foster economic growth without compromising environmental health.
It is an honor to join President Trump’s Cabinet as EPA Administrator.
We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI. We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water. https://t.co/FQk9XPdgcw
— Lee Zeldin (@LeeMZeldin) November 11, 2024
As he takes the helm at the EPA, Zeldin will be responsible for balancing the administration’s economic priorities with its environmental obligations. He emphasized a holistic approach, promising to protect Americans’ access to clean air and water while promoting upward economic mobility. “I look forward to contributing to President Trump’s agenda to build a more prosperous future for our nation,” he said.
Zeldin’s appointment follows the selection of another New Yorker, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who accepted Trump’s offer to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Both Zeldin and Stefanik were instrumental members of Trump’s defense team during his first impeachment trial, solidifying their roles as trusted allies within his administration. The president-elect lauded Zeldin’s ability to handle “difficult and complex situations” and predicted his tenure would set “new standards on environmental review and maintenance” to support sustainable growth across the nation.
Trump’s pick of Zeldin reflects a strategic focus on regulatory reform within key federal agencies. As the EPA transitions under Zeldin’s leadership, his policies may shift the agency’s priorities from stringent regulation to a more industry-friendly approach, aiming to remove perceived barriers to American productivity while upholding the baseline protections that ensure public health and environmental quality.