Donald TrumpJohn’s selection to lead the EPA struggled to answer straightforward questions about the science.
At his confirmation hearing Thursday, former Rep. Lee Zeldin faced scrutiny over his limited environmental experience. For one senator, Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse, this took the form of a pop science quiz — asking, as he put it, “simple basic questions about climate change.”
“First, legally,” Whitehouse began his softball talk, “is carbon dioxide a pollutant?”
“Regarding the carbon dioxide you emit during this question, I would say no,” Zeldin said without laughing. “In terms of carbon dioxide emitted in larger quantities, which we’re hearing concern about from scientists, as well as from Congress, that’s something that definitely needs to be focused on for the EPA.”
But the White House was not satisfied. “Legally, it’s a designated pollutant, right?” he asked.
“Mr. Senator, even though carbon dioxide is not mentioned as one of the six elements in the Clean Air Act, the EPA treats it as such,” Zeldin said, noting that the Supreme Court actually ruled in 2007 that it was Contaminated.
The second question requires a short answer rather than true and false.
“What is the impact – briefly and in general terms, I know you are not a scientific expert – what is the impact in the atmosphere of carbon dioxide emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels?” asked the White House.
Zeldin refused to answer this question directly, saying that he is “someone who believes strongly that we should work with scientists, leave science to scientists, politics to policymakers, and that we all work together.”
“I’m not sitting in front of you as a scientist,” Zeldin added. “Fortunately, at EPA we have many talented scientists providing this research. They have that talent to be able to tell us exactly what the metrics of their research are.”
Whitehouse interrupted and pressed him for a clear answer.
“Ah, trapping—heat trapping, Senator,” Zeldin muttered.

Whitehouse pressed Zeldin about his basic scientific knowledge. /Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
Whitehouse then asked him to name the effects of “methane leakage from fossil fuel production and transport” into the atmosphere.
“Same,” Zeldin replied.
“What is the impact of carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels in the oceans?” asked the White House.
“Well, greenhouse gas emissions, um, trap heat, Senator,” Zeldin repeated, adding that “rising sea levels raise concerns in my district as well.”
Zeldin had limited experience working on environmental policy as a member of Congress and, as he noted throughout the hearing, had no scientific or climate-related background.
Whitehouse went on to ask Zeldin if Earth had reached the “1.5 degree danger threshold,” adding: “Why does this matter?”
Zeldin, who Regulations are expected to be lifted Environmental protection, he objected, “would defer to talented scientists to be able to provide that advice on an ongoing basis.”
In fact, the world You haven’t reached that threshold of global warming, indicating an increased risk of climate-related disasters, for the first time ever in 2024.
Whitehouse asked him to name any major climate “tipping points.” Zeldin, stammering, couldn’t come up with one. “I think when you make a map of your district and your state, I can make a map of my own and we can do it across the country. “As long as that concern exists where there is actually sea level rise and I hear from both sides of the aisle…” Zeldin said before… Whitehouse interrupts.
To end the test, Whitehouse asked: “Are we now on the path to climate safety or do we need to do more to reduce carbon emissions in order to get on that path?”
Zeldin probably gets a few partial credit points at best. “We have never done enough to ensure that our water and air are clean, safe and healthy,” he concluded. Whatever we do every day to achieve this goal, we have to wake up the next day to find ways to do more.