Lauren Lantry, lauren.lantry@sierraclub.org
Not content with having violated multiple federal laws already, Scott Pruitt escalated matters to violating the Constitution today when reporters were thrown out -- including an Associated Press reporter being physically accosted -- at a “summit” on deadly toxins polluting waterways and drinking water. The EPA tried claiming that space was limited, but, as reported, the Federal Advisory Committee Act stipulates that “any committee, board, commission, council, conference, panel, task force, or other similar group" used by an agency "in the interest of obtaining advice or recommendations" for the federal government must be open to the public. An EPA spokesperson claimed that those in attendance were polled as to whether reporters should be allowed in, and that it was decided reporters shouldn’t be in there. It was also reported that there were empty seats in the room.
The summit was held after Politico exposed that Pruitt’s EPA helped hide a report on several chemicals contaminating water supplies. Yesterday, it was reported that one day after this report, a senior EPA aide met with the chemical industry.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders should answer the following questions:
What is the White House’s response to Scott Pruitt ignoring the Constitution and federal laws in an attempt to block the press?
Does the President still support Scott Pruitt even after he admitted to breaking multiple federal laws, sought to break more today, and even disregarded the Constitution?
Does the President support Scott Pruitt keeping the American public in the dark on the safety of their water?
It has been reported that the President and the White House no longer will defend Scott Pruitt amid his snowballing scandals. Why is the President allowing Pruitt to remain as EPA administrator when he’s continuing to break the law and embarrass him?
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