Top DOJ prosecutor resigns after refusing to investigate EPA climate spending

Published February 18, 2025 3:05pm ET



The head of the criminal division in the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington, D.C., Denise Cheung, resigned on Tuesday after Trump appointees requested an investigation into an Environmental Protection Agency funding decision during the Biden administration

Multiple people familiar with the matter said Cheung had refused to open a grand jury investigation into the EPA’s climate spending during the last administration, CNN reported. The source said that Cheung declined the order because it lacked sufficient evidence and to protect lower-level prosecutors from the work. 

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.