The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a 23% workforce reduction and the closure of its research and development office, citing the need to protect public health and the environment while saving $748.8 million. This decision follows a broader Trump administration effort to streamline federal operations and comes after the Supreme Court’s ruling facilitating mass layoffs. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin emphasized that the cuts would ensure the agency can better fulfill its mission while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. The restructuring includes the creation of a new Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions to replace the Office of Research and Development, allowing the agency to focus on research more than ever before. However, critics, such as Justin Chen of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 238, warned that the closure of the research office would undermine the agency’s ability to assess health and environmental impacts, potentially endangering public health. The announcement also follows a recent declaration of dissent by 139 EPA employees who claimed the Trump administration was hindering the agency’s mission, with the administration labeling them as unlawfully undermining the president’s agenda. The decision follows a series of similar actions across the federal government, including the USDA’s firing of foreign workers from adversarial countries like China and the State Department’s impending mass layoffs of about 1,800 employees. These moves reflect a broader strategy to reduce the size of the federal workforce and redirect resources toward what the administration deems as more immediate priorities. While the EPA claims the cuts will improve efficiency and focus, critics argue that the reductions could have long-term consequences for scientific research and environmental oversight. As the agency moves forward with its restructuring, the impact on public health, environmental policies, and the workforce remains a subject of debate and concern.