Scott Pruitt excoriated in subcommittee hearing; he deserved every word of it.

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt testified before the House Energy and Commerce Environmental Subcommittee on Thursday.

He was soundly raked over the coals by Democrats for his excessive spending, his vindictive firings/reassignments of whistle blowers, his reversal of standards for protecting the environment, and his conflicts of interest and ethical violations.   It was rough -- and entirely deserved.  A few Republicans were mildly critical also, but others spouted the Trumpian charge of witch hunt, and gave Pruitt a pass.

Not surprisingly, from his past responses, Pruitt maintains that none of this is his fault.   For example, he says he simply told his staff he wanted a secure phone in his office.   They are the ones who built him a $43,000 state of the art secure phone booth -- when his building already has two secure locations he could use in the admittedly "rare" occasions he really needed such a secure phone.    It was his security detail who insisted he had to fly first class for his own safety.  And on and on.

In fact, Pruitt takes no responsibility for any of this.   Which led one committee member finally to say:  "Then I'm concerned that you have no idea what is going on in your name in your agency."

Here's my favorite line, delivered by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD):
"As head of the EPA, you are wearing the mantle of public trust. . . .  But, unfortunately, you've become the poster child for the abuse of public trust."

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) was even more blunt:
"I think your actions are an embarrassment to President Trump.  So much for 'draining the swamp.'  You're unfit to hold public office.  If I were the president, I wouldn't want your help.  I'd just get rid of you."

This was after several others had told him he should resign.  It's hard to see how he can survive this -- especially since it played out on television.   If Pruitt had any shame, he would resign on his own and not wait to be fired.

And don't forget -- he's ruining our planet as well.

Ralph

PS:  On other personnel matters:    Adm. Ronny Jackson withdrew his name from consideration for VA Chief.    Mike Pompao was narrowly confirmed by the senate to be the next Secretary of State.

The Senate Judiciary Committee, with bipartisan support -- four Republicans joined all the Democrats on the committee -- passed a bill that would allow a special counselor, if fired by the president, to appeal his firing in a federal court.   Mitch McConnell has already said he won't bring  the bill up on the senate floor;   Paul Ryan won't bring it up in the house either.  Nor would Trump sign it, if passed.    However, it's still a very important step.