(Trump Picks New York Congressman Lee Zeldin to Lead EPA – bloomberg.com)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that his team has identified $20 billion in taxpayer money that was misallocated during the previous administration. Zeldin is now working to recover these funds and ensure greater oversight moving forward.
Uncovering the Misuse of Funds
Zeldin stated that his team discovered the funds “parked at an outside financial institution,” a move he claims was an intentional effort to spend government money without proper oversight. Citing a viral video from two months ago, he described how a Biden-era EPA official compared their actions to “tossing gold bars off the Titanic”—a metaphor for rushing tax dollars out the door before Inauguration Day.
According to Zeldin, this financial maneuver was unprecedented in EPA history, allegedly designed to deplete the agency’s budget before the transition of power. While he emphasized that the financial institution involved bears no wrongdoing, he believes the agreement should be terminated immediately and the money returned to government control.
Restoring Accountability at the EPA
Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y. arrives at EPA confirmation hearing. (Fox News Digital/Charlie Creitz)
As part of his initiative to reclaim the funds, Zeldin has vowed to review every transaction made under the prior administration. He made it clear that his agency will no longer allocate resources to what he calls “far-left activist groups in the name of environmental justice and climate equity.” Instead, he aims to implement stricter financial oversight and direct funds toward projects aligned with the administration’s priorities.
“The American public deserves a more transparent and accountable government than what transpired these past four years,” Zeldin stated. To further investigate the situation, he has referred the matter to the inspector general’s office and is collaborating with the Department of Justice to assist President Donald Trump in enforcing fiscal discipline.
Political and Public Reactions
Zeldin’s actions have drawn praise from figures within the administration and beyond. Business mogul Elon Musk took to social media to commend Zeldin for his “awesome job” in protecting taxpayer money. Meanwhile, the initiative aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to overhaul government spending and increase financial accountability.
As these developments unfold, the EPA is expected to play a crucial role in reshaping environmental policies and government funding practices in the months ahead.
About The Author
