🗓️ Week 7: The Climate Doesn’t Vote
*By Cyberluzie | Trumped Out: A Diary of American Madness
By the seventh week of Trump’s second term, environmental policy had become a race in reverse. The United States left the Paris Agreement (again), defunded climate science, deregulated polluters, and laid off thousands of federal scientists.
Federal protection of land, water, air, and ecosystems was replaced with a new priority: economic efficiency.
This post outlines what was reversed, what was defunded, and how institutions were structurally changed.
🔹 TIMELINE OF POLICY MOVES
January 20
→ EO 14162: “Putting America First In International Environmental Agreements”
Withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement and UN climate frameworks
Terminated all international climate finance commitments
Shifted diplomatic energy priorities to fossil fuel trade agreements
January 20
→ EO: “Protecting American Energy from State Overreach”
Directed the DOJ to challenge state laws that impose emissions regulations stricter than federal baselines
Preempted state climate policies under federal commerce authority
January 29
→ Lee Zeldin confirmed as EPA Administrator
Announced repeal of vehicle emissions limits and mercury pollution standards
Initiated a plan to eliminate the EPA’s scientific research arm
February 10
→ EO 14208: “Ending Procurement and Forced Use of Paper Straws”
Rescinded the phaseout of single-use plastic
Mandated a “National Strategy to End the Use of Paper Straws” within 45 days
March (Date Withheld)
→ EPA Reorganisation Announced
Created the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions
Relocated scientific functions from the Office of Research and Development (ORD)
Projected layoffs of 1,155 staffers (approx. 75% of ORD)
April 2
→ Federal Budget Proposal Released
55% cut to EPA
$235M cut to Office of Research and Development
NOAA climate research grant program eliminated ($1.3B)
$209M cut to satellite and weather systems
May 5
→ 17 States + DC sue over halt to wind energy projects
Challenged executive freeze on wind power permits, loans, and tax credits
Cited harm to state economies, clean air goals, and federal-state partnership norms
🔹 INSTITUTIONAL IMPACT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Reorganised under Lee Zeldin to focus on “regulatory efficiency”
Scientific review process diluted; rulemaking shifted to political appointees
Offered polluters the ability to request exemptions via email
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Major funding cuts to climate monitoring and satellite programs
Climate data publication delays reported by April 2025
Collaboration with international forecasting networks suspended
Department of the Interior
Hiring freeze across the National Park Service
Maintenance staff reductions led to service interruptions at 58 sites
Moratorium on new land conservation designations
Department of Energy (DOE)
Reassigned staff from clean energy to oil and gas permitting
Ended the enforcement of federal building efficiency standards
🔹 KEY TAKEAWAYS
Climate action was defunded at every level—international, national, and local.
Environmental protections were reframed as economic obstacles.
Scientific staff reductions and data suppression weakened transparency.
Legal battles with states emerged over renewable energy suppression.