Donald Trump has announced the appointments of two prominent Jewish allies to major positions in his incoming administration, sparking a mix of reactions from political and Jewish communities.
On Monday, Trump revealed that Lee Zeldin, a former Republican congressman from New York, will lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Trump praised Zeldin on his social media platform, Truth Social, as “a true fighter for America First policies.” Zeldin, who gained national attention during his competitive 2022 campaign for New York governor, will bring his deregulatory approach to the agency. He has vowed to remove barriers to fossil fuel production, advocate for U.S. energy dominance, and explore the development of artificial intelligence within the EPA’s operations, though he did not specify how AI relates to environmental management.
“It is an honor to join President Trump’s Cabinet as EPA Administrator,” Zeldin posted on X. “We will restore U.S. energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the U.S. the global leader of AI. We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water.”
Critics, including environmental organizations like the Sierra Club, have expressed alarm over Zeldin’s appointment. They note his record of voting against environmental protection measures in Congress, such as the Inflation Reduction Act and other conservation efforts. Despite Zeldin’s promises to prioritize clean air and water, his history of opposing climate action fuels concerns about his approach to environmental policy.
On the same day, Trump also appointed Stephen Miller, one of his most influential and controversial Jewish advisers, as deputy chief of staff. Miller, who played a pivotal role in shaping Trump’s hardline immigration policies during the former president’s first term, is expected to push forward Trump’s ambitious plans for mass deportations and heightened immigration restrictions. Miller has hinted at using measures such as deploying National Guard troops to enforce policies in resistant states and constructing large detention facilities near the Texas border.
Miller’s hardline positions, including his role in the family separation policy and the travel ban on Muslim-majority countries, have drawn sharp criticism from a wide range of Jewish organizations. Many have condemned his rhetoric and actions as antithetical to Jewish values and the historical advocacy of American Jews for immigrant rights. Miller, however, has defended himself by citing his Jewish heritage and accused his critics of antisemitism. “It is an attempt on the part of the Democratic Party to attack and demonize a Jewish staffer,” he told Fox News in 2019.
Despite the backlash, some Jewish groups, like the Republican Jewish Coalition, have lauded Miller’s reappointment. “Stephen Miller is a warrior who fights tirelessly to put America first,” the RJC tweeted, welcoming his return to a leadership role.
Trump’s latest Cabinet selections reflect his broader vision for a second term, emphasizing deregulation, aggressive energy policies, and a staunch stance on immigration. As Zeldin and Miller prepare to assume their influential roles, their appointments highlight the complex dynamics within the Jewish community regarding Trump’s administration and policy agenda.
