Trump picks Lee Zeldin, former New York congressman, to lead EPA

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he's nominating former Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency as he prepares to reshape the priorities of the EPA in the next White House.

As the head of the EPA, Zeldin is expected to help roll back many of the climate regulations set by the Biden administration as Trump pushes an expansion of fossil-fuel energy.

Trump announced Zeldin's appointment ? which requires Senate approval ? in a statement that touted Zeldin's "very strong legal background" and called the former congressman "a true fighter for America First policies."

"He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet," Trump said.

Trump added that Zeldin will "set new standards on environmental review and maintenance, that will allow the United States to grow in a healthy and well-structured way."

More: Stephen Miller named Trump's deputy chief of staff for policy, signifying focus on immigration

Zeldin, a 44-year-old attorney and former military intelligence officer, served as a Republican congressman from New York, representing parts of Long Island from 2015 to 2023. He ran unsuccessfully for New York governor in 2022, with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul defeating Zeldin 53%-47%, a closer margin than Republicans have recently achieved in statewide New York elections.

A staunch supporter of Trump, Zeldin has just a 14% lifetime environmental voting score based on his voting record in Congress, out of a possible 100%, from the League of Conservation Voters. As a congressman, Zeldin cast a number of votes at odds with environmental groups, such as opposing investments in climate-resilient wastewater infrastructure, but he also fought efforts to dispose of dredge waste in the Long Island Sound.

The New York Times reported Trump is exploring relocating the EPA's headquarters to a location outside of Washington and that Trump transition aides have prepared several executive actions on climate and energy. Orders are expected to include withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. Trump has also vowed to end Biden's efforts to expand manufacturing of electric vehicles.

"It is an honor to join President Trump’s Cabinet as EPA Administrator," Zeldin said in a statement on X. "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."

In other White House personnel moves, Trump has named campaign manager Susie Wiles his chief of staff and immigration adviser Stephen Miller deputy chief of staff for policy.

Additions also include Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., as the nominee to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and Tom Homan, the former head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who Trump named on Sunday as his “border czar” overseeing deportation policy for immigrants lacking permanent legal status.

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump picks former Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead EPA