Bondi scraps Biden-era environmental justice enforcement policy

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in a memo Wednesday that the Justice Department will reverse a Biden-era directive to prioritize enforcement of environmental laws in disadvantaged and low-income communities.

Bondi’s predecessor, Merrick Garland, issued guidance in 2022 directing the department to enforce environmental laws with emphasis on communities that have historically been underserved by such enforcement, including those that are low-income and majority racial minority.

On Wednesday, Bondi, who was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday, rescinded Garland’s memo, along with any similar guidance for U.S. attorneys “to ensure that the Department engages in the even-handed administration of justice.”

Garland’s original directive was accompanied by the creation of the Justice Department’s Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ), which The Washington Post reported was disbanded after Trump’s inauguration. The OEJ website now redirects to an error message. The Hill has reached out to the Justice Department for comment.

The Trump administration has taken aim at a number of Biden-era climate and environmental policies, largely through the Interior Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Since taking office, Trump has ordered the withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, as he did during his first term, and EPA disbursement of grants under the Inflation Reduction Act has been halted.

Newly confirmed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, following Trump’s declaration of an “energy emergency” on Inauguration Day, this week directed the Interior Department to identify legal and regulatory venues to speed up permitting and development of energy on federal lands and waters.

The move also follows a number of actions the administration has taken to dismantle programs and offices it perceives as connected to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and federal initiatives to address racial disparities.