Doesn't matter why they wanted the info; it's irrelevant. It's a management prerogative. As has been noted, they're subject to Civil Service protections.
As for something "being used against them," here in the real world we call that accountability.
This is foolishness and arrogance on the part of the EPA. They may think they're sending a message, but the message received is much different.
It shows the need to come in with a fire hose and steel toed boots.
“As has been noted, they’re subject to Civil Service protections.”
NO, most of them are NOT. 100,000 are contractors. Only 14,000 are Federal employees.