EPA's Zeldin Cancels $1.7B in DEI Grants, Freezes $20B in Fourth Round of Cuts With DOGE

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced the cancellation of over 400 diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and environmental justice grants across nine programs, amounting to $1.7 billion in savings. This marks the fourth round of cuts under Zeldin's leadership, bringing total savings from these initiatives to over $2 billion with the assistance of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The cuts are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce federal spending and dismantle DEI initiatives. Zeldin has pledged to cut the EPA's overall budget by 65% this year, aligning with President Trump's executive orders aimed at eliminating what the administration considers unnecessary expenditures. Among the terminated grants is a $50 million allocation to the Climate Justice Alliance, which had been previously criticized for its controversial affiliations. In addition to the $1.7 billion in canceled grants, Zeldin has also frozen $20 billion in Biden-era EPA funds, which are under investigation by the Department of Justice and the FBI for potential mismanagement. These funds include a $2 billion grant linked to Stacey Abrams' nonprofit, raising questions about oversight and accountability in the allocation process.