Yesterday, we covered Scott Pruitt’s recent, questionable housing decisions at length, but new scandals keep emerging faster than we can type them. Here’s a quick roundup or some of the latest Pruitt news--somehow, we’ve got even more to unpack today.
First, another detail has emerged about Pruitt’s very accommodating DC landlords: Steven and Vicki Hart donated to Pruitt’s campaign for attorney general in Oklahoma and hosted a fundraiser for his reelection, the Daily Beast reported Tuesday. This likely explains how Pruitt became a temporary tenant of the Harts, but not his steal of a deal rent.
The Atlantic also reported early Tuesday morning that Pruitt used an obscure provision of the Safe Drinking Water Act to give big pay bumps to two of his favorite aides after the White House told him not to. (Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think?)
Just a few hours later, the Washington Post reported that one of these aides, Millan Hupp, served as the point person for Pruitt’s housing search last year. Hupp, who received a 33 percent raise, apparently spent several months talking to real estate companies on Pruitt’s behalf and viewing properties. An EPA spokesperson dismissed the story, but “federal officials are barred from enlisting one of their subordinates to do personal tasks for them,” according to a former Office of Government Ethics employee quoted by the Post.
According to one anonymous administration official, Trump called Pruitt yesterday morning to show his support for the embattled EPA administrator. Trump reportedly told Pruitt “keep your head up" and "keep fighting," and “we have your back." However, given the White House’s history of having people’s backs publicly and then sending them packing, speculation has started about who would replace Pruitt.
More than 20 members of Congress have called on Pruitt to resign, and yesterday two Republicans joined the chorus. At this point, it’s hard to imagine someone who could be worse in the job, but we’re keeping a watchful eye on Andrew Wheeler, currently in line to be confirmed as deputy administrator. Emily Atkin at the New Republic calls Wheeler “a more extreme choice to lead the agency than Pruitt.” Wheeler, a coal lobbyist and former Inhofe aide, has a history of denying climate science and has been accused of abusing his power to go after opponents. He was confirmed by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in February but has yet to have a full confirmation hearing.
Any talk of Pruitt’s firing or replacement is total speculation. But it makes us wonder: better the Pruitt that you know than the Wheeler you don’t?