Cover photo: Lee Zeldin at a GOTV rally October 29, 2024 (Credit – Matt Meduri)
In a stunning revelation, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) announced the discovery of $20 billion parked at a financial institution by the Biden-Harris Administration. Zeldin, working in collaboration with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has called for the immediate termination of the financial agent agreement and the return of the entire fund balance to the United States Treasury to ensure proper oversight.
Parked funds can refer to monies left with an organization or person for a period of time, or to deceptive practices that include holding money before deciding on an investment strategy and transferring funds to an account with the expectation of obtaining a travel visa.
“Roughly twenty billion of your tax dollars were parked at an outside financial institution by the Biden EPA. This scheme was the first of its kind in EPA history and it was purposefully designed to obligate all of the money in a rush job with reduced oversight,” said Administrator Zeldin.
Zeldin further announced that he will be referring this matter to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and Congress. Additionally, the EPA will be working closely with the U.S. Department of Justice to ensure accountability for the funds and the decisions that led to their mismanagement.
As part of his commitment to responsible financial stewardship, Administrator Zeldin reaffirmed his pledge to scrutinize every dollar spent at the EPA, both during his tenure and under the previous administration.
“One of my very top priorities at EPA is to be an excellent steward of your hard-earned tax dollars. There will be zero tolerance of any waste and abuse,” continued Zeldin. “We will review every penny that has gone out the door. The days of irresponsibly shoveling boat loads of cash to far-left, activist groups in the name of environmental justice and climate equity are over.”
Two months ago, a video circulated on social media featuring a Biden-era EPA political appointee discussing the urgency of “tossing gold bars off the Titanic,” a phrase used to describe the deliberate rush to allocate billions of tax dollars before Inauguration Day. Zeldin’s discovery of the $20 billion aligns with concerns about reckless spending practices that prioritized speed instead of oversight.
In addition to uncovering the parked funds, Administrator Zeldin has canceled nine contracts related to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), environmental justice, and other initiatives deemed non-essential, saving taxpayers nearly $60 million.
“The American people deserve accountability and responsible stewardship of their hard-earned tax dollars. At President Donald Trump’s (R-FL) direction, EPA, with the assistance of DOGE, are reviewing every dollar spent. There will be zero tolerance for waste and abuse, and by canceling these contracts, we are delivering nearly $60 million in immediate savings to the American people,” stated Administrator Zeldin.
Zeldin outlined that the canceled contracts, totaling $59,776,673.70, included funding for DEI training, the expansion of environmental justice initiatives through the America’s Children and the Environment Program, and the hiring of contractors to advance DEI objectives. Additional savings were accrued through the cancellation of outside consultants hired to organize office-wide retreats and perform contracted work that could be handled internally.
The EPA is working to implement President Trump’s executive orders, including the “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.” The agency is aligning its policies with new administration priorities, focusing on environmental policies that enhance energy independence, streamline permitting processes, and bolster American industries.
In addition, Administrator Zeldin identified and terminated a $50 million environmental justice grant allocated under the Biden Administration to the Climate Justice Alliance, which believes “climate justice travels through a free Palestine.” He also announced that the agency would not be renewing nearly half a million dollars in media subscriptions to Politico and its subsidiaries, signaling a shift in the agency’s fiscal priorities.
With the discovery of the $20 billion in parked funds, Administrator Zeldin emphasized the need for strict oversight and transparency in all EPA financial dealings. By terminating the financial agent agreement and demanding the immediate return of the funds, Zeldin is taking decisive action to prevent further misuse of taxpayer dollars.
“The American public spoke loud and clear last November.
The EPA will deliver on President Trump’s priorities, ensuring taxpayer dollars go towards our core mission of protecting human health and the environment, as well as unleashing energy dominance, implementing permitting reform, making America the AI capital of the world, and bringing back the American auto industry,” concluded Administrator Zeldin.
As the EPA continues to conduct a thorough review of past expenditures, further financial revelations may come to light.
The agency’s partnership with the OIG, Congress, and the Department of Justice underscores its commitment to ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively and responsibly.
