Trump appoints former Congressman Lee Zeldin to head the Environmental Protection Agency

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to head the Environmental Protection Agency.

In a post on X Monday, Zeldin wrote that he would accept the appointment. He said he plans to focus on America’s energy and manufacturing problems.

“Through the EPA, we have the ability to pursue energy dominance, make the United States the artificial intelligence capital of the world, bring American jobs back to the auto industry, and much more,” Zeldin said on Fox News. shortly after news of his appointment became known.

“President Trump cares about preserving the environment,” Zeldin said. “His desire to ensure access to clean air and water was a top priority.”

It is an honor to serve in President Trump’s Cabinet as EPA Administrator.

We will restore American energy dominance, revive our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the world leader in AI. We will do this while protecting access to clean air and water. https://t.co/FQk9XPdgcw

— Lee Zeldin (@LeeMZeldin) November 11, 2024

Zeldin is an attorney who previously represented New York’s 1st District in the U.S. House from 2015 to 2023. From 2003 to 2007 he served in the United States Army. In 2007 he has transferred to the Army Reservewhere he currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

“Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies,” Trump wrote in a statement about the appointment. “He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be made in a way that will unleash the power of corporate America while maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on earth.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.