Pruitt Reportedly Wanted His Motorcade To Use Flashing Lights and Sirens On Local Trips
Apparently, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt has trouble distinguishing between emergency trips and rides to work.
The agency head reportedly likes to use sirens and flashing lights when he’s running late around Washington, a habit for which he’s faced criticism. But questioning him comes at a cost.
Eric Weese, a who worked as one of Pruitt’s security officials, was asked to change jobs after expressing concerns about his use of the sirens, making him only one of several EPA members to be moved, demoted or pushed out altogether after flagging his behavior, according to The New York Times.
The full list includes five members: Reginald Allen, John Reeder, John Martin, and Weese all of whom were high-ranking employees, and one of President Donald Trump‘s political appointees, Kevin Chmielewski. Each of them raised concerns over Pruitt’s management and spending.
It wasn’t until Chmielewski informed the president’s personnel office of Pruitt’s behavior that he landed himself on unpaid administrative leave, sources told The Times.
Allen and Weese were made to switch jobs, taking on new roles in which they spent less time around Pruitt, the outlet reported. Reeder accepted a temporary position at American University after the EPA said he needed to look for employment elsewhere. Martin, who had been part of Pruitt’s security team, was stripped of his badge and gun when the agency cited problems with how he was handling his job.
The news comes after revelations that Pruitt engaged in unethical spending among other questionable behaviors. The president has reportedly been weighing whether to replace him.
[Image via screengrab]
