With controversy swirling around him and calls for his resignation intensifying, Scott Pruitt on Tuesday got a vote of confidence from his boss, President Trump, tamping down speculation for now that the EPA administrator would be the next Cabinet member forced out.
Mr. Trump told reporters that he stands by Mr. Pruitt, who has come under fire for both policy decisions — such as this week’s move to roll back Obama-era fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks — and ethical questions, including his six-month condo rental from a lobbyist connected to the oil industry.
“I hope he’s going to be great,” the president said of Mr. Pruitt.
That declaration of support came on the heels of a Monday night phone call from Mr. Trump to Mr. Pruitt in which the president told the Environmental Protection Agency boss to “keep your head up” and “keep fighting.”
White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly reportedly reinforced that message in a phone call with Mr. Pruitt on Tuesday morning.
At a brief press conference Tuesday in which he touted his decision to scrap the fuel standards, Mr. Pruitt clung to the president and suggested the two men are in lock step when it comes to their policy goals — a clear attempt to remain in Mr. Trump’s good graces.
SEE ALSO: Scott Pruitt, EPA chief, scraps Obama-era fuel efficiency rules
“The president has shown tremendous courage to say to the American people that America is going to be put first,” he said.
For Mr. Pruitt, the reassurances from Mr. Trump were desperately needed. In recent days, some Republicans, such as former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, have publicly questioned whether Mr. Pruitt could survive the latest controversy.
Two House Republicans on Tuesday said Mr. Pruitt should resign or be fired, “Major policy differences aside @EPAScottPruitt’s corruption scandals are an embarrassment to the administration, and his conduct is grossly disrespectful to the American taxpayers. It’s time for him to resign or for @POTUS to dismiss him,” Rep. Carlos Curbelo, Florida Republican tweeted Tuesday afternoon.
Shortly after, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, also a Florida Republican, told CNN she agrees.
“When scandals and distractions overtake a public servant’s ability to function effectively, another person should fill that role,” she said.
And Democrats and environmentalists — eager to see another of the president’s appointees go down in flames — have demanded that the EPA chief step down.
“It is long past time for Scott Pruitt’s tenure to end. From cozying up to industry insiders, to wasting taxpayer dollars and breaking ethical norms, Americans cannot trust Pruitt and he should resign immediately,” Democratic National Committee spokesperson Daniel Wessel said in a statement Tuesday.
“At the same time, Pruitt has led the Trump administration’s reckless dismantling of Obama-era protections, favoring industry and special interests over the environment he is supposed to protect. Pruitt’s latest move to roll back greenhouse gas and fuel emission standards will not only harm the environment but will put people’s health at risk. Enough is enough,” he said.
Mr. Pruitt’s announcement that he’s canceling an Obama administration program that would require vehicle fleets to average more than 50 miles per gallon by 2025 has incensed his opponents. Green groups used that policy move, along with Mr. Pruitt’s seemingly never-ending series of ethical controversies, to apply public pressure.
The environmental group Friends of the Earth on Tuesday dispatched a digital truck to drive around Washington carrying the message “#FirePruitt.”
“Scott Pruitt prefers conspiring in private with polluters rather than defending his corrupt agenda in public. Whether it’s handouts to the fossil fuel industry or first-class luxuries for himself, Pruitt is the ultimate example of the Trump administration’s corruption,” said Lukas Ross, a climate and energy campaigner with the group.
Late last week, it was revealed that Mr. Pruitt rented a Capitol Hill condo for $50 per night from Vicki Hart, wife of Steven Hart, who lobbies for ExxonMobil and other energy industry groups. The arrangement raised questions about whether the administrator got a special deal in exchange for rolling back regulations on the fossil fuels industry.
And on Tuesday, the Atlantic reported that Mr. Pruitt secured raises for two of his top aides by reassigning them under a provision of the Safe Drinking Water Act which allows the administrator to hire personnel and set their salaries himself, rather than having the pay scales approved by the White House.
White House officials had previously denied the pay raise requests for the two workers, the Atlantic reported.
“The administrator was not aware that these personnel actions had not been submitted to the Presidential Personnel Office. So, the administrator has directed that they be submitted to the Presidential Personnel Office for review,” EPA spokesperson Jahan Wilcox told the outlet.
Those controversies came on the heels of revelations Mr. Pruitt spent tens of thousands of dollars on first-class air travel, and used taxpayer-funded security for family outings such as a trip to Disneyland. The administrator also spent roughly $40,000 of taxpayer funds to build a soundproof phone booth in his office.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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