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Scott Pruitt quits as head of US environment agency Scott Pruitt quits as head of US environment agency
(about 7 hours later)
Scandal-hit Scott Pruitt has resigned as head of the US Environmental Protection Agency.Scandal-hit Scott Pruitt has resigned as head of the US Environmental Protection Agency.
In a letter to President Donald Trump, he blamed "unrelenting attacks" on himself and his family.In a letter to President Donald Trump, he blamed "unrelenting attacks" on himself and his family.
Mr Trump tweeted that Mr Pruitt had done "an outstanding job, and I will always be thankful to him".Mr Trump tweeted that Mr Pruitt had done "an outstanding job, and I will always be thankful to him".
But since taking office Mr Pruitt has been mired in series of scandals concerning his spending habits and alleged misuse of office.But since taking office Mr Pruitt has been mired in series of scandals concerning his spending habits and alleged misuse of office.
His deputy Andrew Wheeler will take over as acting head of the agency, Mr Trump said.His deputy Andrew Wheeler will take over as acting head of the agency, Mr Trump said.
Mr Pruitt is the subject of at least a dozen investigations into his conduct.Mr Pruitt is the subject of at least a dozen investigations into his conduct.
He has been under scrutiny for renting an apartment with ties to a fossil fuels lobbyist.He has been under scrutiny for renting an apartment with ties to a fossil fuels lobbyist.
He is also accused of bypassing the White House to secure big pay rises for two long-time staff members.He is also accused of bypassing the White House to secure big pay rises for two long-time staff members.
Meanwhile he has angered many liberals and environmentalists by severely curtailing the agency's activities and repealing many measures designed to protect the environment.Meanwhile he has angered many liberals and environmentalists by severely curtailing the agency's activities and repealing many measures designed to protect the environment.
What did Mr Pruitt himself say?What did Mr Pruitt himself say?
In his resignation letter, Mr Pruitt said he was stepping down from Friday.In his resignation letter, Mr Pruitt said he was stepping down from Friday.
"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," he said."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," he said.
"However, the unrelenting attacks on me personally, my family, are unprecedented and have taken a sizable toll on all of us," he added. "However, the unrelenting attacks on me personally, my family, are unprecedented and have taken a sizeable toll on all of us," he added.
Mr Pruitt becomes the fourth cabinet-level official of the administration to resign or be fired, after Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Veteran Affairs Secretary David Shulkin.Mr Pruitt becomes the fourth cabinet-level official of the administration to resign or be fired, after Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Veteran Affairs Secretary David Shulkin.
A career seriously derailedA career seriously derailed
By Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, WashingtonBy Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington
On Thursday morning CNN quoted an unnamed senior White House official saying that the Pruitt controversies were "inching toward the tipping point". It turns out that point was very close indeed.On Thursday morning CNN quoted an unnamed senior White House official saying that the Pruitt controversies were "inching toward the tipping point". It turns out that point was very close indeed.
The EPA chief had managed to hold out longer than most expected as a cavalcade of controversies mounted, each alone enough to fell a Cabinet appointee in a past administration.The EPA chief had managed to hold out longer than most expected as a cavalcade of controversies mounted, each alone enough to fell a Cabinet appointee in a past administration.
Mr Pruitt had survived due to a combination of the vigour with which he advanced the conservative goal of paring regulations and weakening the agency and Mr Trump's natural reluctance to cede to a political outcry.Mr Pruitt had survived due to a combination of the vigour with which he advanced the conservative goal of paring regulations and weakening the agency and Mr Trump's natural reluctance to cede to a political outcry.
In the end, however, it was Mr Pruitt who had been weakened beyond repair - hobbled by allegations of abuse of the power and privileges of office. Mr Trump had come to Washington pledging to "drain the swamp", and Democrats - with mid-term elections looming - were poised to point to Mr Pruitt as a prime example of how the swamp had consumed the president and Republicans in general.In the end, however, it was Mr Pruitt who had been weakened beyond repair - hobbled by allegations of abuse of the power and privileges of office. Mr Trump had come to Washington pledging to "drain the swamp", and Democrats - with mid-term elections looming - were poised to point to Mr Pruitt as a prime example of how the swamp had consumed the president and Republicans in general.
With Andrew Wheeler - a former coal industry lobbyist - set to run the agency for the immediate future, little will probably change as far as policies and priorities within the EPA. Many Republicans in Washington, who were growing uneasy with Mr Pruitt's seemingly never-ending bad press, will surely be happy with the change.With Andrew Wheeler - a former coal industry lobbyist - set to run the agency for the immediate future, little will probably change as far as policies and priorities within the EPA. Many Republicans in Washington, who were growing uneasy with Mr Pruitt's seemingly never-ending bad press, will surely be happy with the change.
Their relief, however, may be tinged with a certain amount of regret. Mr Pruitt had proven to be an effective champion of the conservative fight against the EPA - and even environmentalists had recognised him as a formidable adversary.Their relief, however, may be tinged with a certain amount of regret. Mr Pruitt had proven to be an effective champion of the conservative fight against the EPA - and even environmentalists had recognised him as a formidable adversary.
Mr Pruitt himself had aspirations for higher office - either within the administration or back home in Oklahoma. While political careers these days are rarely permanently ended, at least for the moment his has been seriously derailed.Mr Pruitt himself had aspirations for higher office - either within the administration or back home in Oklahoma. While political careers these days are rarely permanently ended, at least for the moment his has been seriously derailed.
What has the reaction been?What has the reaction been?
Democrats welcomed the resignation, but there was also little enthusiasm for his replacement Mr Wheeler, a former coal industry lobbyist.Democrats welcomed the resignation, but there was also little enthusiasm for his replacement Mr Wheeler, a former coal industry lobbyist.
Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey said "#BigOil's right hand man" was being replaced by "King Coal's best lobbyist".Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey said "#BigOil's right hand man" was being replaced by "King Coal's best lobbyist".
New York Congressman Patrick Maloney compared Mr Pruitt to a former president.New York Congressman Patrick Maloney compared Mr Pruitt to a former president.
What about the president?What about the president?
A staunch conservative, Mr Pruitt has strongly backed Mr Trump over his decision to pull out of the Paris climate accords.A staunch conservative, Mr Pruitt has strongly backed Mr Trump over his decision to pull out of the Paris climate accords.
In his turn Mr Trump has praised him for cutting back environmental regulations which he blames for stifling economic growth.In his turn Mr Trump has praised him for cutting back environmental regulations which he blames for stifling economic growth.
But the White House appears to have cooled towards Mr Pruitt recently.But the White House appears to have cooled towards Mr Pruitt recently.
On Tuesday spokesman Hogan Gidley described the controversies facing Mr Pruitt as "troublesome" and said Mr Trump was "looking into" them.On Tuesday spokesman Hogan Gidley described the controversies facing Mr Pruitt as "troublesome" and said Mr Trump was "looking into" them.
Mr Pruitt is also under investigation for:Mr Pruitt is also under investigation for: