Energy & Environment

Pruitt in resignation letter to Trump: You are president because of God’s providence

Greg Nash

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator (EPA) told President Trump in his letter of resignation on Thursday that Trump is president because of “God’s providence.”

“My desire in service to you has always been to bless you as you make important decision for the American people,” Pruitt said in his letter. “I believe you are serving as President today because of God’s providence. I believe that same providence brought me into your service. I pray as I have served you that I have blessed you and enable you to effectively lead the American people.”

Trump announced on Twitter that he accepted Pruitt’s resignation on Thursday. The EPA chief’s departure comes amidst a series of controversies regarding his spending, ethics and management at the agency.

{mosads}”I have accepted the resignation of Scott Pruitt as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency,” President Trump announced in a tweet.

“Within the Agency Scott has done an outstanding job, and I will always be thankful to him for this. The Senate confirmed Deputy at EPA, Andrew Wheeler, will on Monday assume duties as the acting Administrator of the EPA. I have no doubt that Andy will continue on with our great and lasting EPA agenda. We have made tremendous progress and the future of the EPA is very bright!”

Wheeler will become acting administrator when Pruitt leaves. 

Pruitt’s controversies ranged from his rental of a Capitol Hill condominium to taxpayer spending on travel to allegations that he had an aide help him with personal matters. He also reportedly spent $3.5 million on security during his first year as the head of the agency, a report that drew swift backlash from a myriad of lawmakers. 

Pruitt also said in the letter to Trump that “it is extremely difficult for me to cease striving you in this role first because I count it a blessing to be serving you in any capacity, but also because of transformative work that is occurring.”

-Updated 4:22 p.m.

Tags Donald Trump Scott Pruitt

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