Stop Trump’s CA Power Grab — No to EPA Admin Lee Zeldin

California communities are still reeling from catastrophic wildfires that destroyed homes, forced evacuations, and left families grieving and displaced. Survivors deserve fast, fair, and transparent recovery support — not a political takeover.

But Donald Trump is now trying to seize control of California’s disaster recovery and hand key authority to his EPA Administrator, Lee Zeldin. This move seeks to override local and state leadership, weaken environmental protections, and push a dangerous pro-polluter agenda while people are still in crisis.

These wildfires aren’t just “bad luck.” Climate change is making California hotter, drier, and more vulnerable to extreme fire conditions. The science is undeniable — and the cost of delay is measured in lives, homes, and entire communities wiped off the map.

That’s exactly why it’s so alarming that Trump wants to put his EPA Administrator, Lee Zeldin, in charge. Before leading the EPA, Lee Zeldin served in Congress, where he consistently sided with fossil fuel interests and opposed critical climate and environmental protections.

As head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Zeldin has repeatedly undermined the EPA’s mission to protect clean air, clean water, and public health. Under his leadership, the agency has moved to weaken enforcement and roll back safeguards that limit climate pollution, while advancing policies that benefit corporate polluters. Zeldin has also attacked climate investments and clean energy programs that help communities reduce emissions and prepare for extreme events such as wildfires.

Now Trump wants Zeldin overseeing recovery decisions that will shape California’s future — from rebuilding standards to permitting and infrastructure — at the exact moment we need climate-smart, community-led solutions.

This is not leadership. It’s crass exploitation.

We call on federal officials, California leaders, and Congress to reject Trump’s attempted takeover and ensure wildfire recovery remains guided by science, local authority, and the needs of impacted residents — not political appointees with a record of climate denial and deregulation.

Disaster recovery must protect people — not polluters.

Sign the petition: Stop Trump and Zeldin from hijacking California’s wildfire recovery.

The petition to Congress and California officials reads: We urge you to reject Donald Trump’s attempt to take over California’s wildfire recovery and hand control to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. Californians deserve disaster relief led by local communities and grounded in science and climate resilience — not political interference that risks weakening environmental protections. Please act immediately to block this power grab and ensure recovery efforts prioritize people, public health, and a safer climate future.
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Sources:

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/27/president-trump-moves-to-take-over-la-wildfire-recovery-00749600

https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eenews/2026/01/28/trump-gives-zeldin-a-new-job-overseeing-la-wildfire-recovery-00753177

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-put-zeldin-charge-permits-rebuild-after-california-wildfires-2026-01-28/