DOJ ends criminal prosecutions of vehicle emissions ‘defeat devices’
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Michelle Shaffer | January 22, 2026
The new policy comes as the watchdog group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility on Thursday issued a report saying that there has been a “collapse” of civil enforcement of environmental laws in Trump’s first year back in office. DOJ lodged consent decrees in ...
Watchdog warns of ‘collapse’ in environmental enforcement
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Michelle Shaffer |
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility said in a report released Thursday there is a “collapse of environmental civil enforcement” across programs designed to clean up air pollution, dirty water and toxic waste. Since his return to office, President Donald Trump has rallied ...
Trump Admin “Deliberately” Tanking Morale to Get Parks Staff to Quit, Official Says in Leaked Tape
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Michelle Shaffer | January 21, 2026
Critics of President Donald Trump’s administration say the rollout of the new ratings system at the Park Service could herald broader changes across the federal government. “The National Park Service is enforcing this with great vigor, which is surprising and disappointing given how ...
One Year After Trump’s Inauguration, the Damage to Environmental Policy Is Unprecedented
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Michelle Shaffer | January 20, 2026
Under Trump’s EPA, restrictions on dangerous chemicals are being loosened and risk assessments are being altered or delayed. Critics say the public will be paying the price with their health. “EPA no longer cares about human health,” Kyla Bennett, director of science policy at Public ...
Fed employee watchdog group wants details on Trump’s 250th spending
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Michelle Shaffer | January 15, 2026
The Trump administration’s launch of a new brand for nationwide celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary is sparking questions on public spending from one environmental watchdog group. Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, which is made up of current and retired federal ...
Planning for America’s 250th birthday draws watchdog scrutiny
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Michelle Shaffer |
A watchdog group is demanding answers from the Trump administration about the dueling organizations planning America’s 250th birthday celebration, citing reporting from Semafor’s Ben Smith about a cooling power struggle between two groups involved. Public Employees for Environmental ...