David Fotouhi

David Fotouhi (born 1984/1985) is an American lawyer and government official serving as deputy administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since June 2025. He previously worked as acting general counsel of the EPA during the first Donald Trump administration and was a partner in environmental litigation at Gibson Dunn.

Early life and education Fotouhi was born in Venezuela and his family immigrated to the United States when he was a child. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Vanderbilt University and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. He was a law clerk for Raymond Gruender of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Career Fotouhi began his legal career at the law firm of Gibson Dunn where he worked in the area of environmental litigation. He became a partner at the firm.

In 2017, during the first Donald Trump administration, Fotouhi left Gibson Dunn to join the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). At the EPA, Fotouhi held roles including acting general counsel, principal deputy general counsel, and deputy general counsel. Fotouhi helped the administration in rolling back climate and water regulations. Fotouhi left the EPA in February 2021 to return to his role as a partner at Gibson Dunn.

During his second tenure at Gibson Dunn, Fotouhi challenged the EPA's March 2024 ban on asbestos. Fotouhi argued that the EPA failed to demonstrate that asbestos presents an unreasonable risk of injury for the specific uses that were banned. Trump said Fotouhi would "advance pro Growth policies, unleash America's Energy Dominance, and prioritize Clean Air, Clean Water, and Clean Soil for ALL Americans."

During his confirmation hearing, Fotouhi acknowledged that the climate is changing and that burning fossil fuels is a cause. He emphasized China's significant role in contributing to global greenhouse gas emissions. He was sworn in on June 16, 2025.

Personal life

Fotouhi publicly stated that he is a cancer survivor and that his experience battling cancer has shaped his perspective on the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment.