Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Advisor Brent Efron was caught on undercover video by Project Veritas admitting that billions of dollars were funneled to climate organizations as an “insurance policy” against President Trump. The revelation has sparked outrage among Trump allies, who accuse the agency of undermining the incoming administration.
The video captures Efron candidly discussing efforts to secure funding for climate initiatives before the Trump administration takes office. Referring to the situation as urgent, Efron stated, “Get the money out as fast as possible before they [Trump Administration] come in.” He likened the effort to a desperate act, saying, “It’s like we’re on the Titanic and we’re throwing gold bars off the edge.”
The alleged strategy comes as Trump plans to reshape the EPA with his nominee, Lee Zeldin, a staunch advocate for reducing regulatory overreach and shifting priorities away from climate change spending.
Efron described the rapid allocation of funds to climate-focused organizations as a safeguard against the new administration potentially reversing Biden-era environmental policies. “It was an insurance policy against Trump winning,” he explained.
Trump’s supporters argue that this move exemplifies deep-seated resistance within federal agencies to the former president’s policies. Critics claim the funding strategy amounts to political sabotage, aiming to cement climate programs and limit Trump’s ability to reallocate resources.
Via Project Veritas:
Efron spoke to a Project Veritas investigative journalist about his role in doling out over $100 billion in grants to nonprofits under Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which he dubs “Biden’s climate law.” The EPA’s website describes these grants as part of their mission to advance “environmental and climate justice.”
Efron even admits that the EPA is scrambling to push money out the door for projects originally designed for a Kamala Harris presidency.
“The thing that we haven’t funded yet are [sic] the local nonprofit program that was going to be an inter-Kamala Harris administration program… so now we’re getting it [funding] out as quick as possible. It’s like two billion at this point, we’ve got most of it out – like 90%.”
So committed are these staffers, Efron confesses, that they plan to work right up until the final moments on inauguration day, rushing to ensure that every possible tax-payer dollar is disbursed before a Republican administration can turn off the spigot.
“It’s until the Trump people come in and tell us we can no longer give out money. That’s at the very earliest the 20th [January 2025]. But it’s probably a little bit after because they have to get in the building and tell people what to do.”
Efron predicts that the Trump administration will swiftly issue an order to block all grants, with Congress potentially trying to claw back the EPA’s funding. Anticipating this, he reveals that the EPA has been working to funnel money to aligned nonprofits capable of implementing climate change policies at the local level, viewing it as an “insurance policy” against the upcoming Trump presidency.
WATCH:
BREAKING: @EPA Advisor Admits ‘Insurance Policy’ Against Trump is Funneling Billions to Climate Organizations, “We’re Throwing Gold Bars off the Titanic”
“It was an insurance policy against Trump winning.”
“Get the money out as fast as possible before they [Trump… pic.twitter.com/eaAihuNvAh
— Project Veritas (@Project_Veritas) December 3, 2024
The video has intensified scrutiny of the EPA, with many calling for an investigation into the agency’s financial practices. Republican lawmakers have already vowed to review funding decisions made in the final months of the Biden administration.
“This is exactly why we need transparency in our agencies,” one GOP congressman said. “Taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be weaponized to push a partisan agenda.”
Meanwhile, climate advocates argue that accelerating funding for environmental programs is necessary, given the urgency of the climate crisis. They see the funds as critical to ensuring long-term sustainability and public health.
As the Trump administration prepares to take charge, the controversy over the EPA’s funding practices will likely remain in the spotlight. Whether these allegations lead to significant policy changes or investigations remains to be seen. However, this incident underscores the political battles shaping America’s environmental policies.
