"WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency abruptly pushed out its top regional official for California and other points West, touching off an unusual public dispute between the two over the reason why.

Mike Stoker, the EPA’s chief for California and other far West states and territories since 2018, said he got a call Wednesday from senior agency officials in Washington telling him to resign.

The flare-up marks the latest political road bump for the Trump administration in California, a Democratic stronghold leading the ranks of states fighting the president on environmental and climate rollbacks and immigration issues."

Ellen Knickmeyer reports for the Associated Press February 7, 2020, with Lisa Mascaro. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"EPA Regional Chief Alleges He Was Fired For Being Cozy With Dems" (The Hill) [3]

"EPA: Ousted Region 9 Head Lashes Out Over Firing" (Greenwire) [4]

"Ousted EPA Official In California Says He Was Pushed Out For Being Too Bipartisan" (Los Angeles Times) [5]