Trump administration may fire more than 1,000 EPA scientists and scrap research office, Democrats say

The potential layoffs listed in documents reviewed by Democrats are part of the White House''s broader push to shrink the federal government

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to eliminate its scientific research office and could fire more than 1,000 scientists and other employees who help provide the scientific foundation for rules safeguarding human health and ecosystems from environmental pollutants.

As many as 1,155 chemists, biologists, toxicologists and other scientists - 75% of the research programme's staff - could be laid off, according to documents reviewed by Democratic staff on the house committee on science, space and technology.