Statement by Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee on Executive Order Signed by President Trump

President Trump signed several executive orders this week impacting Harris County government and its residents. Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee, the chief civil lawyer for Texas’s largest county, issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s Executive Order—entitled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing”—which terminates environmental justice offices and positions in the federal government:

“I am deeply concerned by the actions taken by President Trump on the first day of his second term, particularly the executive orders that seek to undermine vital protections for our most vulnerable communities, including those here in Harris County.

“President Trump’s decision to dismantle the EPA’s environmental justice team is a devastating setback for vulnerable communities.

In Harris County, Black and Latino neighborhoods already face overwhelming pollution, increased health risks, and shorter life expectancy. For years, polluters have targeted these communities while state Republican officials have turned a blind eye.

The EPA has been a critical partner in holding polluters accountable—stopping toxic concrete plants and intervening in contamination cases, like the ‘cancer cluster’ in Fifth Ward. Trump’s decision puts this essential work at risk.

This is more than a policy decision—it’s an abandonment of communities that have long been ignored. We must continue to fight for clean air, safe water, and a healthier future for all.”