President-elect Donald Trump has named former New York congressman Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and appointed long-time adviser Stephen Miller as his deputy chief of policy in his new administration.
Zeldin, a Republican who lost his bid for governor of New York in 2022, will focus on “ensuring fair and swift deregulatory decisions that unleash American businesses” while maintaining “the highest environmental standards.” However, Zeldin’s appointment has raised concerns due to his lack of experience in environmental policy, having served only on committees related to military affairs.
Trump also highlighted Zeldin’s past efforts, including a failed amendment to allow striped bass fishing in federal waters off Long Island Sound. Environmental groups criticized the amendment, citing risks of overfishing.
Stephen Miller, known for his hardline stance on immigration, will serve as deputy chief of policy and is expected to continue Trump’s policies. Miller has been involved in many key decisions, including separating immigrant families, and has led efforts challenging the Biden administration.
The appointments mark another step in building Trump’s administration with loyal supporters. These picks have drawn praise from Republican leaders, but also raised questions about the environment and national security roles of these appointees.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/trump-stephen-miller-policy-immigration-9cc6ad3118779b23bff88022ca5e2260