washington former current employees u.s. environmental protection agency express opposition president donald trump pick run agency monday open letter small street protest reflect divisions new administration plan slash regulation 400 former epa staff members send letter u.s. senate ask reject nomination oklahoma attorney general scott pruitt agency new leader say show interest enforce environmental laws chicago around 30 employees epa regional office join protest organize sierra club environmental group american federation government employees protest pruitt nomination doug eriksen spokesman trump transition team epa downplay chicago protest say employees right take action private time trump vow cut regulation revive oil gas coal industries say without compromise air water quality nominate pruitt sue epa dozen time oklahoma top prosecutor block regulations run agency spark alarm among democrats environmentalists last thursday senate environment committee approve pruitt despite boycott nomination panel democratic members expect confirm full senate republican control last november election date vote set former epa employees send letter senate write believe pruitt history side industry reluctant accept strong scientific consensus climate change employees chicago rally raise concern pruitt may cut employees resources need agency enforce environmental regulations epa need able enforce rule company break law say sherry estes epa lawyer participate protest u.s. epa employees protest trump 's pick run agency