White House Reportedly Warning Republicans to ‘Temper Their Defense’ of Pruitt

With EPA chief Scott Pruitt still under a great deal of scrutiny, a new report says the White House is cautioning Republicans not to be defending him too ardently.

Earlier today Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters of Pruitt, “We’re reviewing some of those those allegations. However, Administrator Pruitt has done a good job of implementing the President’s policies, particularly on deregulation, making the United States less energy-dependent and becoming more energy-independent.”

Bloomberg Politics is now reporting that the White House has been a little more cautious behind the scenes:

White House officials are cautioning Republican lawmakers and other conservative allies to temper their defense of Scott Pruitt, according to two people familiar with the discussions, in a sign that administration support for the embattled EPA chief may be waning…

White House officials have discouraged lawmakers from vigorously defending the administrator, said the two people, who asked for anonymity because the discussions weren’t public.

Earlier this month, President Trump sent out tweets defending Pruitt:

Do you believe that the Fake News Media is pushing hard on a story that I am going to replace A.G. Jeff Sessions with EPA Chief Scott Pruitt, who is doing a great job but is TOTALLY under siege? Do people really believe this stuff? So much of the media is dishonest and corrupt!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 6, 2018

While Security spending was somewhat more than his predecessor, Scott Pruitt has received death threats because of his bold actions at EPA. Record clean Air & Water while saving USA Billions of Dollars. Rent was about market rate, travel expenses OK. Scott is doing a great job!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018

Just days ago OMB Director Mick Mulvaney said his office would be looking into Pruitt’s spending.

You can read the full Bloomberg report here.

[photo via Getty Images]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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