Think Progress Staff departures from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have become so common that they rarely make news anymore — since Administrator Scott Pruitt took control of the EPA in 2017, more than 700 employees have left the agency. But this week, as federal investigations surrounding Pruitt’s ethical scandals continue to mount, four departures in particular made headlines, as off... Read more »
New York Times A Washington consultant who was removed from President Trump’s transition team for using his business email address for government work played a central role last year in planning a trip to Australia for Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, and then took steps to disguise his role, new documents show. The consultant, Matthew C. Freedman, who is also a forme... Read more »
Think Progress Even before he was sworn in as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Scott Pruitt was demonstrating the questionable judgment that has marked his 15-month tenure as head of the agency. Working with his soon-to-be chief of staff, Pruitt explored the possibility of establishing an EPA office in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. If successful, Pruitt could have stayed i... Read more »
AP The two top officials in charge of security and toxic-waste cleanups at the Environmental Protection Agency have abruptly left their jobs, days after EPA administrator Scott Pruitt told lawmakers that his subordinates were to blame for alleged ethical lapses that have prompted more than a dozen federal investigations of the agency. In statements Tuesday, Pruitt praised the two men — security ch... Read more »
USA TODAY Embattled EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is facing new criticism after it was revealed his controversial trip to Morocco was partially arranged by a lobbyist and cost $100,000 — more than double what was previously reported. The report in The Washington Postdetails more about the December trip, including that Richard Smotkin, a former Comcast lobbyist who is a longtime friend of Pruitt, ... Read more »
ABC News As investigations into alleged ethical misconduct at the Environmental Protection Agency heat up, two high-ranking aides to administrator Scott Pruitt have abruptly left their jobs this week. Democrats have raised questions about spending and security decisions made by the head of Pruitt's security team, Nino Perrotta, as well as about the professional background of Albert Kelly, a senior... Read more »
Washington Post — But the probes continue at the EPA’s internal watchdog... The EPA's inspector general confirmed last week it will investigate Pruitt’s controversial condo deal, The Post’s Brady Dennis reported. It’s the 10th federal investigation into the administrator. In a letter to Democratic Reps. Don Beyer (Va.) and Ted Lieu (Calif.), who requested the review, inspector general Arthur A. El... Read more »
U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, formerly a U.S. ambassador whose 8th District of Virginia includes the City of Falls Church, released the following statement after President Obama announced Wednesday that Cuba and the United States will open embassies in Washington and Havana after more than 50 years of diplomatic isolation: “I have long looked forward to the day we reestablish diplomatic relations with Cuba... Read more »
We can judge a society by how it treats its most vulnerable. I am a believer, spurred by the writings of the moral philosopher Peter Singer, that we can and should extend these values to all species. Last year on the campaign trail, I heard from many of you that one of Jim Moran’s legacies, which you deeply wanted me to continue, was the effort to enhance our treatment – and the world’s treatment ... Read more »
