Trump DOJ Orders Climate Nonprofits to Court, Demands Info
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The Trump administration has instructed nonprofits involved in a $20 billion climate initiative to surrender records to the FBI and attend federal court later this month, related to accusations that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tried to evade oversight by depositing the $20 billion in Citibank accounts. This move is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to reverse spending decisions made by the previous administration. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has been attempting to reclaim the $20 billion awarded through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, alleging that the program is affected by fraud.
Nonprofits Involved in $20 Billion Climate Initiative Directed to Submit Records
The Trump administration is intensifying its efforts to reclaim $20 billion from a Biden-era climate initiative, directing participating nonprofits to submit records to the FBI and appear in federal court. The administration claims the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) circumvented oversight by depositing the funds into Citibank accounts during President Biden’s term.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ed Martin in Washington has sent letters to at least two groups that received funding through the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The letters demanded the organizations to submit their records to the FBI, including their communications with EPA staff, program-related transactions, articles of incorporation, and grant management policies and procedures.
The Justice Department declined to comment on the summons for the groups to appear in federal court later this month. Citibank has not responded to a request for comment.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has been scrutinizing these groups for weeks, alleging fraud in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund without providing evidence. Supporters of the program argue that proof of fraud would be necessary for the administration to retrieve the money from Citibank.
During his recent address to Congress, Trump criticized a portion of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, calling it “appalling waste.”
The $20 billion was authorized in 2022 under Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. The EPA met a September 2024 deadline to allocate the money by depositing it into Citibank accounts for eight nonprofit recipients, as stipulated in their contracts with the government.
The EPA recently sent a records request to the recipients with a list of 35 documentation, data, and information requests. In some instances, the requested information is already available to the EPA through Citibank or on the EPA’s website.
The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund was designed to boost financing for renewable energy projects, eco-friendly transportation, and building programs, primarily in low-income communities. Since the freeze on Citibank accounts containing the grants in mid-February, some groups have been forced to borrow money to cover operating costs and pay staff salaries. At least one grant recipient has had to implement staff furloughs.
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