This isn’t strictly a partisan issue, though Democratic administrations tend to allow the EPA to leverage their increasing power with more leniency. In fact, the EPA was first allowed to exercise military-like power by Congress under the Reagan administration. Then, in 2015, it was reported that the EPA was spending nearly $75 million per year to keep their 200 special armed agents kitted up with “military-style weaponry,” drones, amphibious assault vehicles, night-vision gear, and other equipment.
But, don’t worry; it’s not going to waste. EPA agents seem to relish any opportunity to use their cool gear on We The People.
For example, in 2015, residents of Chicken, Alaska, woke up to their town and local gold mine being swarmed by armed officers in full body armor and “POLICE” jackets. They quickly learned that these men were with the EPA, and they were being raided due to an allegation that the mine was potentially violating the Clean Water Act.
The intimidation tactics and frightening aggression displayed that day by EPA special agents infuriated locals, as well as the Alaskan state government.
Three years earlier, in 2012, EPA agents knocked on the door of Larry Keller, who had sent a short email to the staff of then-regional administrator of the EPA Al Armendariz. The email was a query for Armendariz’s contact information: “Hello Mr. Gray-Do you have Mr. Armendariz’s contact information so we can say hello? -Regards-Larry Keller.”
Keller wanted to ask Armendariz about the administrator’s inflammatory statements about the oil and gas industry, where he had said his enforcement goals were to “crucify” executives.
Armed agents and local police showed up at Keller’s door, refused to give him their business cards, and interrogated him about the intent of his email.
But, don’t worry; it’s not going to waste. EPA agents seem to relish any opportunity to use their cool gear on We The People.
For example, in 2015, residents of Chicken, Alaska, woke up to their town and local gold mine being swarmed by armed officers in full body armor and “POLICE” jackets. They quickly learned that these men were with the EPA, and they were being raided due to an allegation that the mine was potentially violating the Clean Water Act.
The intimidation tactics and frightening aggression displayed that day by EPA special agents infuriated locals, as well as the Alaskan state government.
Three years earlier, in 2012, EPA agents knocked on the door of Larry Keller, who had sent a short email to the staff of then-regional administrator of the EPA Al Armendariz. The email was a query for Armendariz’s contact information: “Hello Mr. Gray-Do you have Mr. Armendariz’s contact information so we can say hello? -Regards-Larry Keller.”
Keller wanted to ask Armendariz about the administrator’s inflammatory statements about the oil and gas industry, where he had said his enforcement goals were to “crucify” executives.
Armed agents and local police showed up at Keller’s door, refused to give him their business cards, and interrogated him about the intent of his email.
