Pruitt Faces Intensifying Scrutiny, Criticism Of His Ethics Decisions

"Scott Pruitt stepped to the lectern Tuesday in the Environmental Protection Agency’s ornate Rachel Carson Room, flanked by signs reading “certainty” and “confidence.” The words touted his rollback of Obama-era fuel efficiency standards, the latest move in Pruitt’s campaign to implement President Trump’s “deregulatory agenda.”

But the message of the signs seemed out of step with Pruitt’s current situation, as the EPA chief faces growing questions about a series of ethics decisions that have raised doubts about the job security of one of President Trump’s most effective Cabinet members.

In recent weeks, Pruitt has been the focus of ongoing scrutiny of his frequent first-class travel, which the EPA has argued was necessary because of security concerns. He now is facing inquiries over a discount condo rental he arranged with the wife of an energy and transportation lobbyist, as well as his decision to utilize an obscure provision of the Safe Drinking Water Act to give huge raises to two staff members."

Juliet Eilperin, Brady Dennis, and Josh Dawsey report for the Washington Post April 3, 2018.

SEE ALSO:

"Why Scott Pruitt’s Living Arrangement Raises Ethics Concerns" (PBS News Hour)

"Washington Post: EPA Aide Assisted In Pruitt Housing Search" (CNN)

"EPA Chief's Job Not Assured After Trump's Praise _ and Ire" (AP)

"President Tells Embattled EPA Chief To Stay Strong" (The Hill)

"A Look At The Ethical Questions EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt Is Facing" (NPR)

"Democrats in Congress Want Answers on Pruitt" (CNN)

"White House Lets Pruitt Dangle" (Politico)

"EPA Chief Scott Pruitt Relied On Obscure Law To Hire Ex-Lobbyists, Schedulers And Spokespeople" (Washington Post)

"For Scott Pruitt, a Spotlight Shines on His Ethics, Not His E.P.A. Rollbacks" (New York Times)

"Scott Pruitt Bypassed the White House to Give Big Raises to Favorite Aides" (Atlantic)

"White House Investigates EPA Chief Pruitt Over Sweet Rental Deal" (MarketWatch)

"A Republican Congressman Calls for Scott Pruitt's Removal" (Pacific Standard)

"White House Gives Scott Pruitt the Kisa of Death" (Vanity Fair)

"EPA Staffer Helped Pruitt Search For Housing On Weekends: Report" (The Hill)

"Two Republican Lawmakers Call For Pruitt To Step Down Or Be Fired" (The Hill)

"House Dems Urge EPA IG tO Probe Pruitt Condo Arrangement" (The Hill)

"Trump Backs Pruitt Amid Ethics Controversies" (The Hill)