An early indicator of Pruitt’s penchant for secrecy was his refusal to publish his daily schedule, as previous EPA administrators had done. When a redacted version of Pruitt’s schedule was finally released (after requestors sued), it showed that over a five-month period he had more than 100 meetings or calls with industry representatives.
Step two in the Trump plan to make the world safe for polluters is to destroy the institutions that America –- and the world –- have built to protect our environment. Trump’s repudiation of the Paris Agreement announced this policy to the world, but the attacks are continuing on multiple fronts.
Donald Trump and his administration’s assault on the environment and public health over just his first year in office has been more brazen and comprehensive than anyone could have imagined. At a time of unparalleled threats to the planet, the forces of greed and unchecked pollution are using their new power under Trump and Scott Pruitt to reverse the environmental gains of the past five decades.
Among Trump and Pruitt’s most egregious attacks on environmental protection has been their aggressive effort to undermine science, scientists, the scientific process, and scientific consensus. The attack on science is rooted in the same noxious soil as this administration’s attack on journalists: In a world of no fixed facts and no recognized, impartial arbiters of reality, there is no basis for disputing the Administration’s claims.
As head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Pruitt has spent more than $900,000 on expensive flights, unnecessary upgrades to his office, and a 24-hour security team. In addition to spending far more than his predecessors, Pruitt’s extravagant purchases have all served the same purpose: hiding him and his actions from the American people.
The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is “to protect human health and the environment.” Disgraced EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt tried his best to undermine this vital mission by choosing to slash critical health protections and let corporate polluters off the hook. Now that Pruitt’s been booted, we need an EPA administrator dedicated to undoing his toxic agenda and restoring the agency to its core mission. Progress is possible and necessary – but another corporate crony or climate skeptic will not get us there.
Scott Pruitt is gone, but the fight is just beginning. We need an EPA administrator who puts our health and environment first, period. Any alternative is unacceptable.
