“The right to criticize our government and expose government wrongdoing is foundational to our democracy. But this right is meaningless…
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Find out how we’re protecting the scientific endeavor and putting our legal expertise to work for scientists.
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News | Monthly Update
Lawsuit filed against EPA challenging the administration’s attempts to silence researchersLearn More
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Press | News
The Metro: She wouldn’t stay quiet. The EPA removed herJune 30, 2026 WDET Detroit Public RadioLearn MoreDrinking water expert Elin Warn Betanzo is suing the EPA after it dismissed her from an advisory committee for signing a declaration of dissent. Her case raises a bigger question — one that reaches all the way to your kitchen sink: what happens to the rest of us when the government tells its own scientists to stay quiet?
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Press | News
Climate Attribution Conference Explores Science, Law and AccountabilityJune 27, 2026 State of the PlanetLearn MoreAt the second annual Attribution Science and Climate Law conference, CSLDF and others discussed "Defending Science in the Current Political Climate" and how climate researchers have faced lawsuits, aggressive open‑records requests, and proposals to dismantle federal research programs.
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Press | News
Drinking water expert who helped expose Flint crisis sues Trump administration after EPA firingJune 23, 2026 Detroit Metro TimesLearn MoreDrinking water expert Elin Warn Betanzo is suing the Trump administration for its “zero-tolerance policy” towards dissent. In a federal lawsuit filed on June 22, she accuses the EPA of violating her First Amendment rights by suspending and later removing her from an EPA advisory committee.
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Press | News
Former EPA adviser claims agency violated whistleblower protections after petition criticismJune 22, 2026 Great Lakes NowLearn More
“The Trump EPA is using their zero-tolerance policy to intimidate EPA scientists from doing their jobs to protect Americans. So this is my story, but it’s also the story of many others,” said Warn Betanzo.
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Press | News
Fired EPA Worker Alleges She Was Dismissed for Opposing ZeldinJune 22, 2026 Bloomberg LawLearn MoreFormer EPA advisor Elin Warn Betanzo is suing the Environmental Protection Agency for its "zero-tolerance" policy toward dissent and for violating her First Amendment rights by firing her after she publicly criticized agency leadership.
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Press | News
Drinking water expert who pushed for study during Flint water crisis files lawsuit against EPAJune 22, 2026Learn More
“Today I am continuing my fight for safe water by suing the Trump administration for violating my First Amendment right to free speech,” Warn Betanzo said. “The administration fired me and my EPA colleagues to scare public servants into silence. I’ve fought for safe drinking water before, and I will not be intimidated.”
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Press | News
Fired EPA water adviser sues over terminationJune 22, 2026 E&E News | PoliticoLearn More“When I joined the NDWAC, I committed to protecting public health and safe drinking water,” said drinking water expert Elin Warn Betanzo. “I’m fighting for the rights of all government employees and the safety of our drinking water.”
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Press | Press Release
Water Expert Sues EPA After She Was Fired for Signing PetitionJune 22, 2026
Drinking water expert Elin Warn Betanzo has filed a federal lawsuit against the EPA, arguing that the agency violated her First Amendment rights when it fired her for signing a letter of dissent.
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News | Monthly Update
Reflections on the Fight for ScienceMay 28, 2026 CSLDFLearn More
Dismissing the entire National Science Board. Blocking the release of research findings about the benefits of vaccines. Cutting potentially billions…
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