Senate Confirms Sean Donahue as President Trump’s EPA General Counsel
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate has confirmed Sean Donahue to serve as the General Counsel for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Appointed by President Donald J. Trump, Sean Donahue will work in this new role to advance the agency’s core mission of protecting human health and the environment and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative.
“President Trump made a fantastic pick in Sean to be EPA’s General Counsel. He has the experience and expertise to help us advance our core mission, Power the Great American Comeback, execute on President Trump’s promises, and help us root out waste and abuse. I am proud Sean is returning to EPA and look forward to continuing our work to protect human health and the environment,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to return to EPA and serve as its General Counsel. Under President Trump’s bold leadership, the agency is delivering for the American people by championing sound environmental policies grounded in its statutory authority—and we are doing this while ensuring clean air, clean water, and clean land for all Americans. I look forward to leading the Office of General Counsel as we fulfill its critical duty to provide the best legal advice and advance EPA’s core mission of protecting human health and the environment. Thank you to President Trump, Administrator Zeldin, and my EPA colleagues for their confidence and unwavering support,” said EPA General Counsel Sean Donahue.
EPA's General Counsel is the chief legal advisor to EPA, the federal agency with primary responsibility for implementing the nation’s environmental laws. These laws include the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“Superfund”). The General Counsel leads the Office of General Counsel (OGC) in providing legal counsel to EPA policymakers, providing critical input to rules, regulations, and guidance documents that are promulgated and issued to implement the agency’s statutory obligations. In addition, the General Counsel and OGC provide assistance to Congress on national legislation affecting the environment and address international law issues. Working with EPA headquarters and regional offices, OGC attorneys also provide legal support for the issuance of permits, and the approval of state environmental programs. In tandem with the United States Department of Justice, the General Counsel and OGC represent the Agency in court challenges to agency actions, appeals of enforcement cases, and Supreme Court litigation. The General Counsel carries out these functions not only with respect to EPA’s environmental programs, but also in connection with EPA’s day-to-day operations.
Sean Donahue returns to EPA after having served as a Special Advisor in the Administrator’s Office and Office of Land & Emergency Management from 2018 to 2021. He most recently was an associate counsel at a solar energy company, where his work included environmental permitting, compliance, and advising on all phases of the project lifecycle. Prior to this experience, Sean worked as an associate at a regional law firm, where he worked on a variety of environmental and energy matters. Sean is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and earned his Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida.
Here’s what people are saying about Sean Donahue’s presidential appointment:
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL): “I’m proud to congratulate Floridian Sean Donahue on his confirmation as General Counsel of the EPA. Floridians love our natural treasures and Sean will work hard to preserve and protect our environment for future generations.”
Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL): “I was so proud to vote to confirm Sean Donahue to be the next General Counsel of the U.S. EPA. Yet another great leader hailing from the Free State of Florida serving in the Trump administration. I have no doubt he will do an excellent job!”
Former EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler: “Sean did a great job at EPA during the first Trump Administration. He’s a very smart and capable lawyer and he’s going to be an outstanding General Counsel.”
Former EPA General Counsel Matt Leopold: “Congratulations to Sean Donahue on his confirmation as EPA General Counsel. He will serve this Administration well leading the lawyers defending the agency’s most important actions.”
Former EPA Chief of Staff Ryan Jackson: “Sean Donahue worked tirelessly during the first Trump Administration, and he will continue to be dedicated to serving EPA deliver positive environmental accomplishments while empowering new manufacturing and economic success.”