The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is facing potential staff reductions of up to 65%, as indicated by President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. This announcement has sparked concern among workers and environmental groups, who fear that such drastic cuts could undermine essential oversight, particularly regarding drinking water safety and pollution management. Despite the alarming implications, the White House later clarified that Trump originally meant to refer to a reduction in spending rather than staffing levels. However, Zeldin confirmed that more than 1,000 employees have already departed from the agency. The ongoing discussions around these cuts reflect a broader strategy reportedly aimed at significantly downsizing the EPA, raising alarms about the future of environmental protections.