So the sad, sordid saga of Scott Pruitt comes to a close. And the press celebrates, rightly, because the system worked, in spite of Donald Trump.
The reporting on Pruitt’s conduct in office — day after day, over many months, from WaPo’s @eilperin @brady_dennis & @jdawsey1, as well as from a number of other outlets — has been extraordinary. Accountability journalism at its very best.
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) July 5, 2018
Hard to think of any other president, Republican or Democrat, who would have turned a blind eye to scandal after scandal because they liked the official personally and enjoyed their sycophancy https://t.co/pKhcKdscQ3
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) July 5, 2018
There was a time in this country, not so long ago, when the press was not necessarily celebrated but at least tolerated by those in power because they knew of its importance in a democracy. Enter Donald Trump and his big business cabinet. After months of hate-filled speech and twisted tweets, guess what? The press still wins because this country is stronger than one man, even if he’s a president. Trump can tweet til his thumbs fall off but truth will always win. The image and attitude of an administration is set by its standard bearer. Like president, like cabinet. You get it.
But don’t think for a second that the downfall of Scott Pruitt happened just because of journalists. A lot of brave people inside the EPA witnessed craven corruption and blew the whistle. And the number of investigations into Pruitt became as long as your arm.
Checks and balances worked — whistleblowers, journalists, IG's, lawmakers all played a part in exposing Scott Pruitt's abuses of power https://t.co/3JJ6cMzmLn
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 5, 2018
And Trump tolerated all of Pruitt’s antics because the EPA administrator was unwrapping years of regulatory progress. But in the end, Pruitt was taking up too much oxygen in a room where there’s just enough for one blowhard.
Scott Pruitt did himself in with Trump by challenging Trump’s position at the top of the kleptocratic food chain. “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the most corrupt of us all?” can’t have any answer but one in this administration.
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) July 5, 2018
Pruitt’s resignation letter says it all.
BREAKING: @EPAScottPruitt resignation letter to @realDonaldTrump. Obtained by @johnrobertsFox: pic.twitter.com/A3ErO84hLQ
— Fin Gomez (@finnygo) July 5, 2018
Even after “resigning,” Pruitt still feels the need to fawn over Trump, and he can’t, or won’t take responsibility for his actions, blaming “unrelenting attacks” as his reason for leaving. Adios, Mr. Administrator. Don’t let the door….
