According to France24, the move is part of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s sharp budget cut policy, which is responsible for handling environmental issues such as pollution, clean water and climate change.
According to documents reviewed by Democratic staff in the US House of Representatives' Committee on Science, Space and Technology, the cuts will result in a situation where most of the staff of EPA's scientific research department, which currently has more than 1,500 people, will not be retained. The remaining few employees will be transferred to other departments in the agency.
These layoffs aim to reduce government spending, narrow the size of federal personnel and abolish environmental regulations as well as public health. Previously, in February, Mr. Trump announced that EPA Director Lee Zeldin expected to cut about 65% of the agency's staff, from a total of 17,000 people.
When asked about the cut, EPA Molly spokesperson Vaseliou said EPA is taking "breakthrough steps" to improve organizational structure.
"We are committed to improving the ability to provide air, water and clean land to all people," said Ms. Vaseliou. She also emphasized that no official decision has been made yet, and EPA is collecting opinions from employees at all levels to improve work performance as well as ensure the agency operates more effectively.
However, EPA's plan to dissolve the department of science has been met with strong opposition from Democratic lawmakers. Ms. Zoe Lofgren, a senior member of the Democratic Party in the House House of Representatives' Committee on Science, criticized the decision, saying it would seriously undermine EPAs role.
"All EPA decisions must be aimed at protecting human health and the environment, which cannot be done if science is left out," Lofgren said.
She also warned that the Trump administration is continuing to scientifically manipulate for political purposes. "Previously, Mr. Trump and his allies distorted and scientifically distorted it... Now, they are trying to completely destroy it," she said.
She stressed that EPA cannot fulfill its legal obligations to use the most advanced scientific studies without a team of researchers.
The large-scale cut raises many concerns about the future of environmental protection and public health policies. While the Trump administration has highlighted the effectiveness of restructuring, scientists and opposition lawmakers have warned that the move could make EPA less capable of carrying out its core tasks.
