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Lee Zeldin Knows How to Defend Trump. Will He Defend the Environment?

Summary

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Lee Zeldin, former Republican congressman from New York, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Known for his loyalty to Trump, Zeldin has a mixed environmental record. While he supported conservation efforts on Long Island and opposed offshore oil drilling, he has consistently resisted national climate initiatives, including voting against the Inflation Reduction Act. His priorities, including "energy dominance" and economic growth, align with Trump’s agenda of deregulation and fossil fuel expansion. Environmentalists question whether Zeldin will prioritize environmental protection under a president committed to weakening regulations. Critics highlight his historical opposition to emissions-reduction policies, while supporters note his willingness to engage in local conservation efforts.

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