Ruckelshaus Rule

The Ruckelshaus Rule states that the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) should not reassign or replace its own top officials who are appointed by the President, once they are in office, without the President’s approval. This principle aims to maintain stability and independence within the agency, ensuring that key leadership decisions are aligned with the administration’s policies and that personnel changes are made transparently and with proper authority. Essentially, it’s about respecting the chain of command and preventing unilateral removals of agency leaders by the EPA itself.