President-elect Donald Trump has appointed former Congressman Lee Zeldin as the new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator.
Zeldin, known for his legal and legislative experience, represented New York’s 1st Congressional District from 2015 to 2023 and gained national attention for nearly winning New York’s 2022 gubernatorial race against Kathy Hochul.
“Lee, with his strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies,” a statement from Trump’s team on Monday said. “He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions to unleash the power of American businesses while maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.”
Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. He was among the Republicans in Congress who voted against certifying the 2020 election results.
After receiving the nomination, the 44-year-old former U.S. House member wrote on X, “We will …