We are scaling up for the fights ahead

Dear Friend, One of the most dangerous policies of the Trump administration is getting far too little attention: federal enforcement of environmental laws has all but vanished. That's why, after nearly 20 years of service, I left the Department of Justice to run Earthjustice's new Environmental Enforcement Team. As the administration abandons enforcement of our bedrock laws, my team at Earthjustice will step in to protect communities by doing it ourselves. Earthjustice has activated a flash match until Januar​y 21. Donate today and double your impact to help us take on the biggest environmental fights of 2026. Double Your Gift: Donate by Jan 21 At the DOJ, I was Assistant Section Chief in the Environmental Enforcement Section. My job was to hold companies accountable when they broke laws that safeguard the health of our communities by protecting our nation’s air, land, and water. But our work was effectively put on hold by this new administration. Our ability to enforce environmental laws in court all but ground to a halt. I could not sit by and let this happen. Without enforcement, environmental laws are just words on paper. Companies can dump toxic waste like coal ash in our rivers, release more soot and smog, spew cancer-causing chemicals into the air, and cut corners that save them a dollar but costs the rest of us in medical bills, lower property values, and premature deaths. Enforcement matters. So, when Earthjustice asked me to head up their new enforcement team, I leapt at the opportunity. The goal of my new team is simple: We will protect communities by enforcing environmental laws when the Trump administration fails to do so. Many environmental statutes include “citizen enforcement” provisions Congress built in precisely for this purpose: They allow ordinary people and organizations to hold polluters accountable when the government doesn’t. All across the organization, Earthjustice is scaling up to meet the threat of the Trump administration. The new enforcement team is a perfect example. And just like every team at Earthjustice, our litigation is entirely funded by donors. So thank you for providing a place where I can continue to do the work I am passionate about. . Sincerely, Laura Thoms Director of Environmental Enforcement Earthjustice P.S. When enforcement disappears, polluters take notice — and communities pay the price. Your support ensures that environmental laws still have real consequences. Trump’s second year will prove even more consequential than the first, so please consider donating today. Your gift will be doubled to help us fight the biggest environmental battles of his presidency. FLASH MATCH: DOUBLE MY GIFT Make a tax-deductible gift to help us take on the fights ahead!   FLASH MATCH: DOUBLE MY GIFT   180 Steuart St. #194330, San Francisco, CA 94105 About Us  |  Receive Less Email  |  Unsubscribe This email was delivered to you by Earthjustice. © 2026