News Clips

Former DOGE official cannot legally fire Interior lawyer, group says

by PEER | May 5, 2025
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility says in documents filed with the department last week that Tyler Hassen, a former member of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency who’s now Interior’s acting assistant secretary for policy, management and budget, lacks ...

EPA announces broad reorganization that includes shuffle of scientific research

by PEER | May 3, 2025
“The problem is that some areas of the country have much worse air pollution, and it cannot be treated as a one-size-fits-all,” said Kyla Bennett, director of science policy at the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a nonprofit that supports public employees who raise ...

Trump officials gut 25 centers that monitor flooding and drought in the US

by PEER | May 2, 2025
The targeted centers are part of a larger network, and the Trump administration based its decision to make cuts on leases near expiration, not scientific reasoning, said Kyla Bennett, director of science policy with the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility non-profit that is ...

Is DOGE risking the government’s cybersecurity? Some have lost their jobs to block them.

by PEER | April 28, 2025
Ultimately, Irish, an 18-year veteran of the department, and two other career employees were placed on leave. Irish was notified on April 4 that he would be removed from his job. The case is particularly troubling because it’s a “significant, significant cybersecurity risk with ...

EPA to fire or reassign more than 450 staffers working on environmental justice, DEI

by PEER | April 22, 2025
Some environmental advocates worry that dismantling the office will hurt disadvantaged communities, which continue to bear the brunt of pollution. “Every person in this country, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or Zip code, deserves clean water, air and food,” Kyla Bennett, ...

Interior secretary gives DOGE aide sweeping powers to remake department

by PEER | April 21, 2025
In response, Hassen sought to remove Irish from his job, accusing him of “subverting, obstructing and delaying” the granting of access. Irish remains on leave as of Monday, according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, which is representing Irish in challenging his ...
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