Pruitt Loses Top Aide Over Growing EPA Scandals

Scott Pruitt’s problems are mounting at the EPA, the giant agency he’s run ever since President Trump appointed him Administrator last year.

The latest report indicates one of his longtime supporters at the Environmental Protection Agency has resigned over the growing ethical allegations leveled against the former Oklahoma Attorney General.

On Thursday, it was revealed that Samantha Dravis resigned as an associate administrator of the EPA Office of Policy. Bloomberg News reported that sources confirmed Dravis had submitted a letter of resignation.

“It has been an honor to serve in this role at EPA, and I am enormously grateful for the opportunity. I wish Administrator Pruitt and all of the public servants at EPA the very best,” Dravis said in a statement.

Dravis had previously served with Pruitt as general counsel of the Republican Attorneys General Association. Her work at the EPA involved the revival of a program that sought regulatory advice from miners, oil companies and manufacturers.

The resignation came after two Florida members of the House became the first Republicans to call for Pruitt’s resignation or firing.

Reps. Carlos Curbelo and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said it’s time for Pruitt to go. In a tweet, Rep. Curbelo said the “corruption scandals are an embarrassment to the Administration, and his conduct is grossly disrespectful to American taxpayers. It’s time for him to resign or for (the President) to dismiss him.”

Rep. Ros-Lehtinen agreed.

“When scandals and distractions overtake a public servant’s ability to function  effectively, another person should fill that role,” she said in a statement to HuffPost.