"He once talked about the need to fight climate change. Now, he embraces Elon Musk, lavishes praise on the president and strives to stand out in a MAGA world."
"When President Trump’s cabinet secretaries clashed with Elon Musk this month over the billionaire’s chain saw approach to shrinking government, Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, made it clear where he stood.
Mr. Musk had just traded barbs with Sean Duffy, the transportation secretary, and Marco Rubio, the secretary of state. Things were tense. That’s when Mr. Zeldin chimed in to say he had no complaints about Mr. Musk, according to three people briefed on the March 6 meeting.
It was a telling moment for Mr. Zeldin, who has evolved from moderate blue state Republican to full MAGA warrior, taken to dismantling the agency he oversees with zeal.
Over the past nine weeks, Mr. Zeldin has withheld billions of dollars in climate funds approved by Congress, tried to fire hundreds of employees, recommended the elimination of thousands more E.P.A. scientists, and started trying to repeal dozens of environmental regulations that limit toxic pollution. He has filled the leadership ranks at the agency with lobbyists and lawyers from industries that have fought environmental regulations."
Lisa Friedman reports for the New York Times March 29, 2025.
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