Who is Lee Zeldin? Six Key Facts about Trump’s Pick for EPA Chief

Lee Michael Zeldin

President-elect Trump has tapped former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) as his nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Zeldin, known for his loyalty to Trump during his time in Congress, lacks extensive environmental policy experience but has garnered support from Republican colleagues. Here are six important details about the likely next EPA chief:

1. Strong Trump Ally in Congress

From 2017 to 2021, Zeldin consistently supported Trump in the House, actively defending him during investigations and impeachment proceedings. He was a vocal opponent of federal inquiries into Trump’s 2016 campaign and was part of the president's defense team during the first impeachment trial in 2020. Zeldin’s name appeared more than 500 times in transcripts from the House impeachment process, according to NBC News.

2. Opposed Trump’s Tax Bill

In a rare break with his party, Zeldin voted against Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He was among 13 Republican representatives who opposed the bill, citing concerns that it would raise taxes on his New York constituents by capping the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. Zeldin argued that the bill disproportionately affected states like New York.

3. Close Run for New York Governor in 2022

Although Zeldin lost his 2022 bid for New York governor to incumbent Kathy Hochul (D), the race was tighter than expected for a Democrat-leaning state. His six-point loss was a significant improvement over previous Republican showings and contributed to GOP gains in New York’s congressional races.

4. Assaulted on Campaign Trail

Zeldin’s gubernatorial campaign made national headlines when he was attacked on stage in July 2022. The uninjured candidate used the incident to underscore his campaign’s focus on crime in New York, a central issue for the state’s GOP in the midterms.

5. Limited Environmental Record

Zeldin’s environmental stance aligns with Trump’s policies. He supported the 2017 U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and criticized New York’s renewable energy goals as unrealistic. His environmental voting record earned him a low rating from the League of Conservation Voters, although he has expressed support for automotive standards.

6. Environmental Groups Express Concerns

Environmental groups have voiced caution about Zeldin’s nomination. Climate Power criticized his connections to the oil and gas industry, highlighting $410,000 in contributions. Environmental Defense Fund Executive Director Amanda Leland urged Zeldin to prioritize reducing pollution and maintaining America’s clean energy leadership, warning that his decisions could have broad impacts on public health and climate policy.

As Zeldin moves toward the confirmation process, his environmental approach and history as a Trump ally are likely to come under scrutiny from both parties.