Several sources said Trump considers Pruitt one of his most effective Cabinet members.
White House Chief of Staff John Kelly wants to fire scandal-scarred Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt, but hasn’t been able to because President Trump likes him too much, according to a report.
Kelly has tried to boot Pruitt as part of an effort to clear the administration of top officials making headlines that reflect badly on the President, people with knowledge of the matter told Politico on Monday.
But even though Pruitt is facing a string of scandals involving hefty traveling and lodging expenses, Trump remains a big fan of the EPA chief’s deregulation crusade.
Several sources said Trump considers Pruitt one of his most effective Cabinet members. His insistence on rolling back Obama-era environmental regulations is of particular liking to Trump, according to the sources.
EPA boss Pruitt’s security worriedly broke down rental condo door
Case in point: Pruitt announced Monday that the EPA will reverse an Obama-era attempt to beef up fuel efficiency standards for motor vehicles, an effort that panders to Trump’s base in states like Ohio and Michigan, while outraging liberals concerned about climate change in states like California.
But even though Pruitt has proven effective, some suggest his latest transgression might be the final straw.
The EPA chief has been embroiled in scandal since it was revealed last week that he stayed at oil and energy lobbyist Steven Hart’s luxurious Capitol Hill condo for an impossibly affordable rate of $50 per night.
That damning revelation looked even worse as additional details about the lobbyist surfaced Monday.
Pruitt got $50-a-night deal on condo owned by lobbyist: report
While Pruitt was staying at the condo, the EPA signed off on the expansion of an oil pipeline built by a Canadian energy company tied to Hart, according to documents first reported by The New York Times, prompting conflict of interest concerns.
The condo scandal comes weeks after it was revealed that Pruitt spent at least $163,000 in taxpayer funds on private first-class flights during his first year in office.
Trump has fired two Cabinet officials, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, over similar indiscretions.
