Trump Pick to Lead EPA Is Loyal, Would Learn on the Job

Senior Policy Advisor Tom Reynolds and Public Policy attorney Dimitri Karakitsos spoke to Law360 about President-Elect Trump's intention to nominate former New York congressman Lee Zeldin as the next leader of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The article suggests that this nomination means that Trump values ideological alignment and the ability to implement his vision over specific environmental expertise. This appointment would likely signal a significant shift in the EPA's direction, aligning more closely with Trump's policy goals. Mr. Reynolds told Law360 that Mr. Zeldin is "well-researched" and "a straight-talking guy."

Mr. Reynolds stated that Mr. Zeldin 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. "Early nominations made by President-Elect Trump have gone to people that he knows and has confidence in and trust in, and who also have [similar] ideological perspectives of how the government would work under a Trump Administration, or they have been in the field carrying a lot of water for that message," Mr. Reynolds said. "And Zeldin is a hard-working guy that focuses on the mission at hand and then gets it done."

There have been other EPA administrators with elected-office experience, but Mr. Zeldin would be the first EPA administrator who served as a member of Congress.

"Just understanding how D.C. works is a huge deal," Mr. Karakitsos added. "In a lot of administrations, you have EPA administrators who have spent time in the states, but not in Washington. So I think there's a huge benefit to understanding Congress, understanding the interaction with the executive branch, and understanding the mission of this agency."

READ: Trump Pick To Lead EPA Is Loyal, Would Learn On The Job