ICE Blocked From Entering Ecuador Consulate in Minneapolis During Immigration Operation 
Panama Supreme Court Voids CK Hutchison Port Concessions, Raising Geopolitical and Trade Concerns 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
U.S. Approves Over $6.5 Billion in Military Sales to Israel Across Three Defense Contracts 
Trump Family Files $10 Billion Lawsuit Over IRS Tax Disclosure 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Trump to Announce New Federal Reserve Chair Pick as Powell Replacement Looms 
FCC Chairman Raises Competition Concerns Over Netflix–Warner Bros. Discovery Deal 
Faith Leaders Arrested on Capitol Hill During Protest Against Trump Immigration Policies and ICE Funding 
Trump Administration Gun Comments Spark Rift With NRA Ahead of Midterms 
FAA Says It Is Not Blocking Boeing 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 Certification 
More Than 100 Venezuelan Political Prisoners Released Amid Ongoing Human Rights Scrutiny 
Trump Orders DHS to Avoid Protests in Democratic Cities Unless Federal Assets Are Threatened 
U.S. and El Salvador Sign Landmark Critical Minerals Agreement to Boost Investment and Trade 
NTSB Opens Investigation Into Waymo Robotaxis After School Bus Safety Violations in Texas 
The Trump administration has placed nearly 200 environmental justice employees on leave and is cutting similar programs at the Department of Justice (DOJ). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed that 168 staffers from the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights were placed on administrative leave, stating their roles did not align with statutory duties or grant work.
Environmental groups warn that these cuts endanger minority and low-income communities living near polluting industries by weakening their protections. The Justice Department is also scaling back its environmental office, affecting around 20 employees in the Environment and Natural Resources Division Law and Policy Section. An internal email and sources familiar with the matter confirmed a planned "reduction in force."
Newly appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memo rescinding Biden-era environmental justice directives, quoting Trump’s stance against "climate extremism" and overregulation. Prior to the announcement, four DOJ employees working on environmental justice were placed on leave. The DOJ declined to comment.
The Trump administration has also suspended all environmental litigation and sidelined key DOJ officials overseeing environmental crimes, enforcement, and appellate sections. Additionally, the EPA warned over 1,000 probationary employees—many working on climate change programs—that they could face termination if they failed to justify their roles by Thursday.
Critics argue these actions dismantle critical environmental safeguards, increasing pollution risks nationwide. Jen Duggan, executive director of the Environmental Integrity Project, condemned the move, calling it a "chaotic attack" that exposes Americans to greater environmental harm.
This restructuring aligns with Trump's broader policies to weaken climate regulations and remove diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within federal agencies, signaling a major shift in environmental governance.
