The White House on Tuesday called "troublesome" the mounting allegations against Environmental Protection Agency Chief Scott Pruitt, who is reportedly under investigation by a dozen separate federal probes.

"We are aware of the numerous reports and the president is looking into those," Hogan Gidley, a White House spokesman, told reporters.

"The reports are troublesome."

US President Donald Trump has so far stood by Pruitt, despite continuing revelations about the EPA administrator's apparently shady ethics and alleged spending habits.

In April, Pruitt received a tongue-lashing from members of Congress alarmed over the scandals.

At that time, more than 170 congressional opposition Democrats signed a letter demanding Pruitt resign, while at least three House Republicans also called on him to quit or be fired.

Weeks of criticism centered on the spending of taxpayer dollars for first-class travel, construction of a sound-proof booth in his office, and a sweetheart rental deal at a Capitol Hill home linked to a lobbyist who had business before the agency Pruitt runs.

Last month, The Washington Post reported Pruitt used his official position and EPA staff to express interest in a lucrative deal for his wife to become a Chick-fil-A franchisee, a venture that ultimately did not occur.

House Democrats have also assailed Pruitt for dismantling protections for public health, showing disregard for scientific study and a blindness toward climate change threats.

Pruitt, a former attorney general of Oklahoma, has been a loyal foot soldier in carrying forward Trump's deregulation efforts.

He says the EPA has saved Americans about $1 billion in regulation costs under his tenure.

On Monday, a woman identified as Kristin Mink posted a video of herself -- with a child in her arms -- confronting Pruitt at a Washington restaurant and urging him to resign "before your scandals push you out."

Related Links
Our Polluted World and Cleaning It Up

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

War on plastic leaves manufacturers clutching at straws
Paris (AFP) July 1, 2018
For decades, plastic straws have been essential props for cocktail makers, smoothie lovers and fast food addicts. But that may be starting to change, thanks largely to vigorous environmental campaigning. Under pressure from activists, the European Union, Britain, India and even fast food giants like McDonald's have all made some headway towards bringing the use of plastic straws to an end. And with public pressure growing on governments, particularly in Europe, to ban single use plastics, ma ... read more