Trump’s Choice of Lee Zeldin for EPA Head Sparks Concern and Criticism on Social Media

As President-elect Donald Trump continues to unveil his Cabinet picks, his selection of former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has prompted mixed reactions online, with social media users expressing both humor and alarm. The choice of Zeldin, a Trump ally and former New York gubernatorial candidate, has raised eyebrows among environmental advocates and commentators who question his commitment to the agency’s mission.

Shortly after the announcement, actress Heather Thomas took to X (formerly Twitter) with a dry quip that reflected both her concern and skepticism: “Nature was nice while it lasted.” The sentiment encapsulates the broader unease expressed by those worried about Trump’s approach to environmental regulation and Zeldin’s role in it.

In a statement on X, Zeldin expressed enthusiasm for his new role, highlighting a vision aligned closely with Trump’s priorities. “It is an honor to join President Trump’s Cabinet as EPA Administrator,” he wrote. “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.” However, his commitment to environmental protection has been met with skepticism from critics who fear that his appointment signals a rollback of environmental protections.

CNN reported that Zeldin’s agenda likely includes reversing some of the Biden administration’s most significant climate regulations, such as tailpipe emissions standards and policies aimed at reducing pollution from power plants and oil and gas producers. This prospect has led to sharp reactions from those concerned about the future of U.S. environmental policy.

For example, news producer Jordan Zakarin expressed irony in Zeldin’s appointment, remarking, “Gonna be ironic when Long Island is consumed by the climate change that hometown boy Lee Zeldin hastened as EPA administrator.” Others voiced a more somber tone; an X user named Deacon Blues commented simply, “God help our planet.”

Environmental activists have pointed to Zeldin’s connections to the fossil fuel industry as troubling. Melanie D’Arrigo, executive director of Campaign for New York Health, posted, “A climate denier who received hundreds of thousands of dollars from fossil fuel companies and polluters will be running the EPA. Trump isn’t just a threat to the US. His administration is a threat to the entire planet.”

Some critics have also questioned Zeldin’s qualifications and motivations, suggesting that loyalty to Trump rather than policy expertise drove his selection. Author Jeff Sharlet stated, “He was chosen for his absolute submission to the whims of Trump. Trump doesn’t intend to govern but to rule.” This sentiment reflects a broader concern among Trump’s critics about the loyalty-first approach shaping his new administration.

The appointment has also drawn scrutiny from environmental advocates and journalists. CNN’s chief climate correspondent Bill Weir noted that Zeldin “gets a woeful 14% lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters,” an organization that scores lawmakers based on their environmental voting records. Meanwhile, LA Times climate columnist Sammy Roth reminded his audience that Zeldin has also been an election denier, suggesting that Zeldin’s political stances might clash with the EPA’s mission to protect public health and the environment.

As Trump’s Cabinet continues to take shape, the decision to place Zeldin at the helm of the EPA underscores the administration’s likely shift away from climate-focused policies. For now, the public debate on Zeldin’s appointment reveals deep concerns about the future of environmental policy under the new administration and a potential rollback of key climate protections.