In a separate statement sent Thursday, an agency spokesperson confirmed to Inside Climate News that 168 staffers were placed on administrative leave. “Career staff made determinations on which Office of Environmental Justice employees had statutory duties or core mission functions. As such, 168 staffers were placed on administrative leave as their function did not relate to the agency’s statutory duties or grant work. EPA is in the process of evaluating new structure and organization to ensure we are meeting our mission of protecting human health and the environment for all Americans,” the spokesperson said.

Since the inauguration, the Trump administration has focused intently on the EPA, notifying more than 1,100 employees—many hired during the Biden administration to lead climate and pollution programs—that they could be fired immediately.

The warnings take aim at recent hires on probation and experienced staff reassigned to environmental justice-related work, which include issues such as lead pipe replacement, hazardous waste cleanup and clean energy projects. An internal email sent on Feb. 3 bluntly said: “As a probation/trial employee, the agency has the right to immediately terminate you.”

The moves have nearly paralyzed the agency’s ability to function, as employees cope with the prospect of being fired without much notice.