Trump's EPA cuts spark fears of mass layoffs and grant freezes
The Donald Trump administration is fulfilling its pre-election promises to cut federal spending, focusing on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). More than 1,000 agency employees may lose their jobs as part of the planned cuts.
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is a U.S. government agency broadly involved in environmental protection. In the automotive sector, it is primarily known for its detailed range and efficiency tests of vehicles offered on the American market. However, there are many indications that, under Trump’s administration, the role of this entity will be reduced.
As part of broader efforts to decrease the number of federal employees, the Trump administration has taken steps that could weaken the EPA. Many EPA employees hired in the past year have received information that they are in a "probationary period" and may be dismissed at any time. This message was a stark reminder that their positions are not guaranteed, sparking fears of widespread redundancies.
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 so far.
"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.
The administration has targeted not only the EPA employees but also the organisation itself. Trump has frozen grants and allocations for the EPA, and the effects of this freeze are already being felt.
