WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt (all times local):
4:50 p.m.
President Donald Trump is standing by his embattled Environmental Protection Agency chief, even as the scandals and federal investigations continue to mount.
Speaking at a hurricane preparedness briefing Wednesday, the president lavished praise on EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.
“EPA is doing really, really well,” Trump told Pruitt. “And you know, somebody has to say that about you a little bit.”
Trump added that “people are really impressed with the job that’s being done at the EPA. Thank you very much, Scott.”
Trump spoke in the midst of another rocky week for Pruitt, following reports he directed EPA employees to run personal errands, including seeking a used mattress from a Trump hotel.
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4:25 p.m.
A senior aide wrapped up in the ethics investigations of Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt has abruptly resigned.
Pruitt announced the departure of aide Millan Hupp in a statement Wednesday.
News of Hupp’s resignation comes two days after Democratic lawmakers made public her testimony to a House oversight panel.
Hupp told lawmakers that Pruitt had her conduct numerous personal errands, including inquiring about buying a used mattress.
Pruitt is the target of a series of federal ethics investigations.
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4:10 p.m.
Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt is laughing at questions about whether he tried to use his position to get a Chick-fil-A franchise for his wife.
Pruitt spoke Wednesday to a correspondent for Nexstar Media Group. They were his first comments since it was reported that he used a top aide to inquire about a “business opportunity” with the fast-food company. The reporter posted the video on Twitter.
Ethics rules prohibit officials from using their office for private gain.
In the video, Pruitt says, “We love Chick-fil-A as a franchise of faith.” He adds that the country needs more Chick-fil-As and laughs.
He did not comment directly on whether he was seeking a franchise for his wife.
The EPA chief is the subject of several investigations into alleged ethical lapses.
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