64 House Dems ask Trump to fire Pruitt

Dozens of House Democrats asked President TrumpDonald John TrumpMichelle Wolf in July Fourth salute: 'God bless abortions and God bless America' Graham: Trump's Supreme Court picks 'all winners' Man arrested after allegedly threatening to kill Trump supporters, GOP lawmaker MORE on Friday to fire Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head Scott PruittEdward (Scott) Scott PruittEx-aide says he’ll take credit for Pruitt’s downfall Andrew Wheeler has the potential to be even more dangerous than Scott Pruitt Bannon: ‘The opposition-party media got a scalp’ with Pruitt resignation MORE.

The 64 Democrats, led by Reps. Don Beyer (Va.) and David CicillineDavid Nicola CicillineCongress can protect midterm elections with the Disclose Act Dem generation gap widens Dem lawmaker: GOP cares more about Clinton emails than gun violence MORE (R.I.), listed a whole host of recent scandals dogging Pruitt, saying he has to go now.

“Scott Pruitt’s unethical behavior, wasteful use of taxpayer money, and his efforts to undermine the EPA’s core mission to protect our environment and public health demand an appropriate response: his resignation or his firing,” they wrote.

The signers to the letter cited all of the recent controversies surrounding Pruitt, like his low-price rental of a Capitol Hill condo from a lobbyist couple and his decision to give two aides raises after the White House rejected them.

But they also dug deeper, arguing that his entire time at the EPA has been filled with actions that should disqualify him, like appearing in a video produced by a group opposed to an Obama administration water rule, hiring former banker Albert Kelly to oversee the Superfund program and spending more than $40,000 to install a soundproof booth in his office.

“A man under numerous investigations both for ethical concerns and wasteful spending, who has actively moved to undermine environmental rules and regulations at industry request, is antithetical to the job of EPA Administrator. Mr. Pruitt needs to go,” they wrote.

Pruitt has repeatedly defended himself, saying everything he's done has been in compliance with the law and ethics rules and blaming his opponents for the scandals.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that White House chief of staff John KellyJohn Francis KellyMORE went so far as to tell Trump that he should remove Pruitt, but that Trump resisted.

Earlier Friday, Trump tweeted that Pruitt “is doing a great job but is TOTALLY under siege.”

Numerous Senate Democrats have also called for Pruitt to resign or be fired, along with three House Republicans: Reps. Carlos CurbeloCarlos Luis CurbeloGOP lawmaker 'outraged' after being denied entry to migrant children's shelter GOP lawmakers relieved with Pruitt’s departure GOP lawmaker: Pruitt was 'an embarrassment from day one' MORE (Fla.), Ileana Ros-LehtinenIleana Carmen Ros-LehtinenGOP lawmakers relieved with Pruitt’s departure Latina Leaders to Watch 2018 Dem, GOP groups prepare spending blitz for midterms MORE (Fla.) and Elise StefanikElise Marie StefanikOvernight Defense: VA pick breezes through confirmation hearing | House votes to move on defense bill negotiations | Senate bill would set 'stringent' oversight on North Korea talks Latina Leaders to Watch 2018 Overnight Energy — Presented by Chevron — GOP lawmaker says Pruitt should step down | EPA launches smog standard review | Chairman warns of Chinese threat using environmental laws MORE (N.Y.).