Pruitt Resigns as EPA Administrator

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has resigned from his post with the agency.

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has resigned his position at the agency according to President Trump. The president made the announcement on Twitter this afternoon, saying he had accepted Pruitt’s resignation.

Trump also said that the Deputy at EPA, Andrew Wheeler, will begin serving as acting EPA Administrator on Monday. He also thanked Pruitt for his service as Administrator and said he has done an “outstanding job.”

No word was given as to why Pruitt stepped down. The fact that he has faced a number of controversies while serving as the agency chief was likely a factor, however.

Among them included some controversial pay raises given to agency staffers under Pruitt’s tenure, a GAO report which said the EPA broke the law in approving a soundproof phone booth for Pruitt’s office, and costs of his travels flying first class came under scrutiny.

Some House lawmakers even called for a criminal investigation into Pruitt, saying that he had used his position at the agency to profit personally.

The EPA said that Pruitt had faced numerous threats and defended some of the costs that were incurred for security reasons.

A copy of Pruitt’s resignation letter is included below.

Mr. President, it has been an honor to serve you in the Cabinet as Administrator of the EPA. Truly, your confidence in me has blessed me personally and enabled me to advance your agenda beyond what anyone anticipated at the beginning of your Administration. Your courage, steadfastness and resolute commitment to get results for the American people, both with regard to improved environmental outcomes as well as historical regulatory reform, is in fact occurring at an unprecedented pace and I thank you for the opportunity to serve you and the American people in helping achieve those ends.

That is why it is hard for me to advise you I am stepping down as Administrator of the EPA effective as of July 6. It is extremely difficult for me to cease serving you in this role first because I count it a blessing to be serving you in any capacity, but also, because of the transformative work that is occurring. However, the unrelenting attacks on me personally, my family, are unprecedented and have taken a sizable toll on all of us.

My desire in service to you has always been to bless you as you make important decisions for the American people. I believe you are serving as President today because of God’s providence. I believe that same providence brought me into your service. I pray as I have served you that I have blessed you and enabled you to effectively lead the American people. Thank you again Mr. President for the honor of serving you and I wish you Godspeed in all that you put your hand to.

Your Faithful Friend,

Scott Pruitt

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Ian Smith is one of the co-founders of FedSmith.com. He has over 20 years of combined experience in media and government services, having worked at two government contracting firms and an online news and web development company prior to his current role at FedSmith.