The Environmental Protection Agency is investigating nearly 140 employees who publicly challenged the agency’s direction under President Donald Trump. On 30 June, more than 170 current staff—joined by about 100 anonymous colleagues and dozens of outside scientists—released a “Declaration of Dissent” that said recent policy changes “undermine the EPA mission of protecting human health and the environment.” The open letter, organised by the advocacy group Stand Up 4 Science, accused Administrator Lee Zeldin of politicising science, gutting environmental-justice programmes and fostering a “culture of fear.” On 3 July, the agency placed 139 employees (several outlets cited 144) who had signed the letter on paid administrative leave for two weeks while officials determine whether they misused their official titles. “The Environmental Protection Agency has a zero-tolerance policy for career bureaucrats unlawfully undermining, sabotaging and undercutting the administration’s agenda,” spokeswoman Brigit Hirsch said. The employees remain on the payroll but must be available for interviews during the probe. Labour leaders and environmental groups condemned the action as retaliation. Nicole Cantello, an EPA attorney and president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 704, called the suspensions “blatant” and said the union would fight them. Scientists at the National Institutes of Health issued a similar dissent letter in June without facing discipline, supporters noted. The confrontation highlights growing tension inside the 15,000-person agency as Zeldin moves to scrap climate rules, shrink research offices and eliminate diversity and environmental-justice units. Whether the suspended employees return or face further sanctions could signal how far the administration is willing to go to enforce loyalty as it pursues an aggressive deregulatory agenda.