EPA to Lay Off or Reassign Over 450 Environmental Justice and DEI Staff Amid Agency Restructuring​

On April 22, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to terminate or reassign more than 450 employees involved in environmental justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This move aligns with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to restructure federal agencies and reduce DEI programs.​

EPA Assistant Deputy Administrator Travis Voyles issued notices to staff within the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, as well as regional employees working on environmental justice. The reduction in force will result in 280 employees being laid off and approximately 175 reassigned to other departments. These changes are part of the administration’s initiative to close the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights.​

The EPA stated that this action is necessary to align the workforce with the agency’s current and future needs, aiming to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its programs. However, critics argue that dismantling these offices could adversely affect disadvantaged communities that have historically faced higher levels of pollution and environmental hazards.​

Established in 1992 and expanded in 2022, the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights was designed to address environmental disparities affecting marginalized communities. The recent layoffs coincide with the removal of the agency’s environmental justice webpage and related resources, signaling a significant shift in the EPA’s focus and priorities.​