Mandy Gunasekara

Mandy Gunasekara has become a prominent, and often controversial, figure in political and environmental circles, especially regarding climate change policy. This article explores her career, affiliations, and the recent federal subpoena she received, offering a comprehensive overview of her influence and the controversies surrounding her. Her career includes key roles within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), significant involvement in shaping climate change policy, and recently, news broke of a federal subpoena served to Gunasekara, adding another layer of intrigue to her already closely watched career. She is a Republican lobbyist and former Chief of Staff of the EPA under President Trump.

Mandy Gunasekara: Early Life, Education, and Mississippi Roots

Born in Mississippi in 1985, Mandy Gunasekara’s deep roots in the state likely influenced her political views and career choices. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications from Mississippi College in 2007, honing her communication skills. She furthered her education with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2010, gaining training in legal analysis, critical thinking, and advocacy. This combination of media and legal expertise proved invaluable in her future roles.

Mandy Gunasekara’s Career Trajectory: From Attorney to EPA Chief of Staff and Beyond

Mandy Gunasekara’s career path demonstrates her deep ties to Republican politics and a focus on energy and environmental policy. As an environmental attorney and strategist, her influence within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the Trump administration was significant.

Following a period as an advisor to Senator Inhofe, Gunasekara joined the EPA in 2017 as a policy advisor and later served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. Before becoming Chief of Staff, Gunasekara resigned in 2019 to lead a pro-Trump nonprofit, Energy 45 Fund, which aimed to promote the administration’s energy and environmental agenda. She rejoined the EPA as Chief of Staff in 2020.

As Chief of Staff under Administrator Andrew Wheeler, Gunasekara was responsible for implementing environmental policy priorities for the Trump administration. Her responsibilities included managing teams to guide key regulatory actions through the rule-making process and serving as a liaison with the White House and other administrative agencies. A key objective was to downsize the EPA and shift it toward a more conservative approach.

Gunasekara spearheaded several significant policy decisions during her time at the EPA. Notably, she was the “chief architect” of the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord and the repeal of the Clean Power Plan. These actions reflected the Trump administration’s broader agenda of deregulation and prioritizing energy independence.

While Gunasekara’s tenure at the EPA saw the implementation of key policy goals for the Trump administration, it also attracted controversy. Her involvement in rolling back environmental regulations and her affiliation with groups that question climate science led to criticism from environmental advocates and Democratic lawmakers. In 2024, it was revealed that she had been subpoenaed in a federal inquiry.

After leaving the EPA, Mandy Gunasekara’s influence continued as she joined the Heritage Foundation and contributed to Project 2025. She unsuccessfully ran for the Mississippi Public Services Commission in 2023. In October 2024, Gunasekara published “Y’all Fired: A Southern Belle’s Guide to Restoring Federalism and Draining the Swamp,” advocating for reducing the size and scope of the federal government.

Mandy Gunasekara: Climate Change Views, Affiliations, and Policy Impact

Mandy Gunasekara is a well-known figure in environmental policy, particularly concerning climate change. Her views often diverge from the scientific consensus, and she is affiliated with several organizations that promote climate change denial and fossil fuels.

• The CO2 Coalition: Gunasekara is a member of this organization, which downplays the risks of climate change. The CO2 Coalition promotes the idea that increased CO2 levels are beneficial. The CO2 Coalition’s stance is that doubling CO2 levels would have minimal warming effects and benefit plant life. The CO2 Coalition has received funding from Koch-affiliated foundations, the Mercer Family Foundation, the Sarah Scaife Foundation, Greater Horizons, Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund, Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, Searle Freedom Trust, and The 85 Fund.
• Life:Powered: As a senior fellow at Life:Powered, an initiative of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), Gunasekara is aligned with a pro-fossil-fuel agenda. Life:Powered has publicly stated “there is little to no evidence that there is a need to reduce carbon emissions in this country.” The TPPF has received funding from Koch foundations.
• Independent Women’s Forum: Gunasekara is a visiting fellow at the IWF, a group that has opposed the Clean Power Plan and created a group to stop the teaching of global warming in schools, describing it as “junk science.”
• Energy 45 Fund: Gunasekara founded the Energy 45 Fund, a “pro-Trump nonprofit” dedicated to promoting the Trump administration’s energy policies.

Gunasekara has consistently expressed skepticism about the severity of climate change. As the “chief architect” of the Paris Accord withdrawal and the repeal of the Clean Power Plan, she played a key role in shaping environmental policy. While she has acknowledged that the “climate is changing, and humans have a role,” her actions and affiliations suggest a belief that the risks are overstated. Her arguments against climate action often focus on the economic costs of regulations and the potential for government overreach. She criticized the Green New Deal as unrealistic and harmful to the economy, and she emphasizes the benefits of fossil fuels in providing affordable energy. She has voiced her opinion that there was no need to reduce CO2 emissions.

Political Ambitions: The Mississippi Public Service Commission Run

Mandy Gunasekara’s foray into Mississippi politics involved a run for the Mississippi Public Service Commission. While details on her specific motivations and promises are limited, her campaign likely focused on energy policy and local issues. The specific reasons for Gunasekara’s disqualification from the race are not explicitly detailed in the search results. However, residency requirements have been a factor in similar cases.

The ‘Deep State’ Book, Federal Subpoena, and Criminal Investigation

This section delves into the details surrounding Mandy Gunasekara book, Y’all Fired: A Southern Belle’s Guide to Restoring Federalism and Draining the Swamp, and the recent federal subpoena she received.

Y’all Fired: A Southern Belle’s Guide to Restoring Federalism and Draining the Swamp, set to release on October 1, 2024 (you can find it on Amazon and Skyhorse Publishing), promises an insider’s account of Mandy Gunasekara’s experiences within the Trump Administration. The Mandy Gunasekara book focuses on her encounters with the so-called “deep state” and the challenges she faced in implementing America First reforms. The book also examines the historical roots of the current state of the federal government, with critiques of the Sixteenth Amendment and FDR’s New Deal. Gunasekara presents policy solutions aimed at reducing the size and scope of the federal government, seeking to restore balance between unelected bureaucrats and voters. The Mandy Gunasekara book has garnered endorsements from prominent conservatives like Ben Stein and Andrew Wheeler.

Adding another layer to this story is the federal subpoena served to Mandy Gunasekara in early May. FBI officials and a representative from the EPA’s Office of Inspector General delivered the subpoena, related to an ongoing criminal investigation, at an office she shares with her husband in Oxford, Mississippi. The subpoena seeks information pertaining to her work from 2017, though the specific nature of the criminal investigation remains unclear.

Gunasekara views the federal subpoena as “legal harassment” and claims the “deep state” is attempting to damage her reputation. She stated that the subpoena was “asking for information pertaining to work from 2017,” while insisting, “There’s nothing there.” She suggests that this action is an attempt to hinder her future involvement in public service, potentially impacting any future confirmation votes or senior roles in a potential new administration. For more details on the federal subpoena, you can check out this article from E&E News.

Mandy Gunasekara’s Husband: Surya Gunasekara and Potential Conflicts of Interest

Surya Gunasekara, Mandy Gunasekara’s husband, has a professional background in lobbying, working with Capitol Hill Consulting Group. His career also includes time with JinkoSolar US and founding Section VII Capital. In 2019, Surya Gunasekara’s lobbying activities included representing clients such as Ameresco Inc, Coldchain Technology Services, Easy2U LLC, EasyGoing LLC, National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Propane Gas Assn, Oracle Corp, and Waste Management Inc.

Potential conflicts of interest arise due to the connections between Surya Gunasekara’s clients and Mandy Gunasekara’s political activities, specifically concerning environmental policy. The National Alliance of Forest Owners and the National Propane Gas Assn have direct ties to natural resources and energy. Waste Management Inc., while focused on waste disposal, also has vested interests in environmental regulations. Further investigation reveals that Surya Gunasekara was previously a lobbyist for the American Petroleum Institute (API). Surya Gunasekara also has a “Revolving Door Profile” on OpenSecrets.org, suggesting previous government employment.

Mandy Gunasekara: Controversies, Criticisms, and Ethical Concerns

Mandy Gunasekara, a prominent figure in conservative environmental policy, has faced several controversies and criticisms throughout her career, primarily related to her stances on climate change and her affiliations with organizations that promote climate denial. Ethical concerns and potential conflicts of interest have been raised regarding Gunasekara’s previous work with the Energy 45 Fund, Texas Public Policy Foundation, and CO2 Coalition. Critics question whether she can remain impartial in her government roles, given her history of advocating for deregulation and a rollback of environmental protections.

The main criticisms leveled against Gunasekara’s policies and viewpoints include her advocacy for deregulation through Project 2025, her association with climate denial groups, and her partisan statements. The Mississippi Supreme Court removed Gunasekara from the Republican primary ballot for the Northern District Public Service Commissioner race because she did not meet the state’s citizenship requirements. This controversy centered on her residency and voting history in Washington, D.C. This incident further fueled criticisms regarding her commitment to serving the interests of Mississippi, given her prolonged absence from the state.

Mandy Gunasekara: A Polarizing Figure in the Environmental Debate

Mandy Gunasekara’s career has been marked by both significant influence and considerable controversy, making her a central figure in the environmental debate of recent years. As a former Trump administration official at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), she played a key role in shaping the administration’s approach to climate change and environmental regulations. One of her most notable achievements, according to her supporters, was her instrumental role in the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Climate Accords and the repeal of the Clean Power Plan. Critics, however, view these actions as detrimental to global efforts to combat climate change. She has been affiliated with groups such as the CO2 Coalition, which has expressed skepticism about the need to reduce CO2 emissions, even suggesting benefits from increasing CO2 levels.

Beyond the EPA, Mandy Gunasekara’s influence extends beyond her government service. She founded the Energy 45 Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the environmental and economic gains made under the Trump Administration. She is also a visiting fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum (IWF) and a senior fellow at Life:Powered, a pro-fossil-fuel initiative by the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF). In 2023, Mandy Gunasekara’s attempt to enter Mississippi politics was cut short when she was disqualified from running for the Mississippi Public Services Commission due to residency requirements. In October 2024, she published a book titled “Y’all Fired: A Southern Belle’s Guide to Restoring Federalism and Draining the Swamp.” She has also been subpoenaed in a federal probe, the details of which remain unclear.

Mandy Gunasekara remains a polarizing figure in the environmental debate. Her lasting impact on environmental policy and political influence is viewed differently depending on one’s perspective. Supporters highlight her efforts to reduce regulatory burdens and promote energy independence, while critics decry her role in undermining climate action. The future of her career remains to be seen, but her continued activity in conservative circles suggests that she will remain a prominent voice in the environmental debate for years to come. What do you think about Mandy Gunasekara’s impact on the environmental debate?