The employees were suspended pending investigation for using their official titles in the letter.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has placed 139 employees on administrative leave after they signed a letter criticizing former President Donald Trump’s policies.
The letter, titled “Declaration of Dissent,” accused the government of “harmful deregulation,” “ignoring scientific consensus to benefit polluters,” and “promoting a culture of fear” within the agency.
“The Environmental Protection Agency has a zero-tolerance policy for career bureaucrats unlawfully undermining, sabotaging, and undercutting the administration’s agenda,” the EPA said in a statement.
The employees were suspended pending investigation for using their official titles in the letter.
The letter surfaced amid a major agency reorganization that includes dissolving its research office and canceling billions in grants.
An earlier version had been sent privately to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
The reorganization aims to cut regulatory red tape and promote fossil fuel development in line with Trump’s executive orders.