Over 1,000 employees at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been told they could be fired “without notice.” Many of these workers focus on critical programs like tackling climate change, reducing air pollution, and enforcing environmental laws.

The warning came in an email sent to staff members who were hired in the past year and are still in their probationary period. These workers were brought on board during the Biden administration to help rebuild the EPA after it faced significant cuts under President Trump’s first term. Some are fresh hires, while others are seasoned federal employees who took on new roles.

Their work includes helping communities replace lead pipes, cleaning up toxic sites, and funding clean energy projects aimed at reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. But now, their futures are uncertain.

An EPA spokesperson stated that the agency aims to be “transparent” about its plans but wouldn’t clarify whether Administrator Lee Zeldin intends to let employees go or why. The goal, according to the spokesperson, is to create a federal workforce that’s “effective and efficient.”

Union leaders believe this move is an attempt to weaken the EPA, an agency that President Trump has long criticized.

This development has left many workers anxious about their jobs and the future of crucial environmental programs. Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story.