President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin as the new Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In a statement, Trump praised Zeldin’s legal expertise and commitment to America First policies, highlighting his ability to streamline regulations while upholding high environmental standards.
“Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies. He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet. He will set new standards on environmental review and maintenance, that will allow the United States to grow in a healthy and well-structured way,” said Trump.
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“I have known Lee Zeldin for a long time, and have watched him handle, brilliantly, some extremely difficult and complex situations. I am very proud to have him in the Trump Administration, where he will quickly prove to be a great contributor!” Trump concluded.
Who Is Lee Zeldin?
Lee Zeldin represented New York’s First Congressional District from 2015 to 2023, earning national recognition for his near-win in the 2022 New York gubernatorial race. His strong showing helped Republicans flip several key suburban House districts, contributing to the party’s majority in the House of Representatives.
A native of Suffolk County, New York, Zeldin became the state’s youngest attorney at age 23. He served four years on active duty in the U.S. Army as a Military Intelligence Officer, Prosecutor, and Military Magistrate. Zeldin deployed to Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and continues to serve as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, marking over 20 years of military service.
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Zeldin entered politics in 2010, winning a seat in the New York State Senate. He was elected to Congress in 2014, where he served for eight years on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Financial Services Committee. As one of only two Jewish Republicans in Congress, Zeldin co-chaired the House Republican Israel Caucus, advocating on issues ranging from foreign policy and military affairs to combating antisemitism and energy policy.
During his congressional tenure, Zeldin championed significant projects for his district, including the preservation of Plum Island, infrastructure initiatives led by the Army Corps of Engineers, and securing a $2 billion Electron-Ion Collider for Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Zeldin resides in Shirley, New York, with his wife Diana and their twin daughters, Mikayla and Arianna. He is expected to bring a strong focus on regulatory reform and business growth while maintaining robust environmental protections as he steps into his role at the EPA.
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