On March 7, 2025, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the dismissal of a lawsuit against a chemical manufacturing company. DOJ’s press release said the dismissal was to implement the administration’s policy “to eliminate ideological overreach and restore impartial enforcement of federal laws.” EPA also withdrew its referral of the case to DOJ, stating EPA will “end the use of ‘environmental justice’ as a tool.”

Environmental Justice Enforcement Case
According to DOJ, the Biden administration filed the lawsuit and “alleged a marginally increased risk of harm after prolonged exposure… The prior administration framed the case as part of its ‘ongoing effort to advance environmental justice in overburdened communities.’” The community met the prior administration’s “environmental justice” requirement in part due to its percentage of “people of color.”

End of “Environmental Justice”
Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) said, “Today’s dismissal reflects ENRD’s renewed commitment to enforce environmental laws as Congress intended — consistently, fairly and without regard to race.” He further characterized the lawsuit as an attempt to “regulate through litigation.” EPA Administrator Zeldin pledged that EPA will enforce the law “without stretching the bounds of the law or improperly implementing so-called ‘environmental justice’.”

To conclude, the press release said, “the Justice Department and EPA are delivering on President Trump’s promise to dismantle radical DEI programs and restore integrity to federal enforcement efforts.”

To see DOJ’s press release https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-dismisses-suit-against-denka-delivering-president-trumps-mandate-end