Top liberal group: Pruitt’s resignation a win for anyone who cares about the environment

The progressive group Credo Action on Thursday celebrated news of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt’s resignation, saying his departure was a “victory for everyone who cares about the environment.”

“This is a victory for everyone who cares about the environment, public health and stopping public corruption,” CREDO Campaign Manager Brandy Doyle said in a statement.

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Doyle added that Pruitt, whom she described as a “corrupt, fossil fuel industry hack,” should have never headed the EPA in the first place, arguing the only reason he remained in the position amid months of controversies was because of his loyalty to President Trump.

“We have no doubt that Trump will appoint another fossil fuel industry stooge as Pruitt’s replacement,” Doyle continued, while casting doubt on Deputy EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler’s ability to uphold the agency’s mission leading the EPA in the interim.

CREDO Action’s statement came just moments after Trump announced Thursday that Pruitt had resigned. The EPA chief’s decision came amid a series of damaging scandals over his spending and management at the agency.

Pruitt’s decision to resign came as several investigations — including from the EPA’s Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee — focused on his controversies. 

His decision to resign was met with applause from several Democratic lawmakers. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) said his reign was finally over and that the former EPA chief made “swamp creatures blush.” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called Pruitt the worst EPA administrator in the history of the agency.