Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Senate Democrats say they can find NO credible evidence that EPA chief Scott Pruitt received threats that justify his unprecedented security expenses.

Courtesy of the AP:  

Confidential security assessments in the Environmental Protection Agency show no evidence of specific, credible, physical threats against Administrator Scott Pruitt, despite claims that an “unprecedented” number of death threats justify his outsized security spending, according to a review by Senate Democrats. 

Democrats on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee wrote in a letter Tuesday that they have reviewed security assessments describing 16 purported threats against Pruitt. They include public protests, criticism of Pruitt’s policies and other activities protected by the First Amendment. 

The letter from Sens. Tom Carper of Delaware and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island urged the committee’s Republican chairman to begin oversight hearings into Pruitt’s unusual security precautions. 

The Associated Press reported Friday that EPA has spent about $3 million on Pruitt’s security measures, which included flying first-class and using a full-time security detail of 20 armed officers.

Here are some of the "threats" that have been identified by HuffPo:

Here are some alleged threats against Pruitt that were investigated, according to reports: 

― The EPA inspector general in March 2017 investigated a postcard sent to the EPA that said: “Get out while you still can, Scott,” “You ignorant fuck,” and “You are evil incarnite,” according to a report obtained by E&E. EPA investigators discussed the message with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. But they couldn’t identify the author and concluded the message “lacked a clear threat.”

 ― Another postcard included “an implied threat that contained obscene language,” Sullivan told E&E. “It was not a direct threat.” The U.S. attorney’s office declined to prosecute, and the writer of the message apologized when contacted by federal officials, said Sullivan. 

― “Threatening tweets” against Pruitt and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) were investigated in April 2017. The writer told investigators he wrote the “flippant comments” while drinking and watching “The Rachel Maddow Show,” and had no intention of hurting anyone. He apologized, and a U.S. attorney’s office declined to press charges. 

― The EPA launched a criminal probe in April 2017 into two female protesters who interrupted a speech by Pruitt. Officials submitted information for misdemeanor charges, but no action was taken. 

― The head of the EPA’s Office of Criminal Enforcement told Politico in February that Pruitt’s safety was threatened when people yelled obscenities at him.

Jesus, I never realized it before but perhaps I need a bullet proof desk, because I have received way more aggressive threats than these.

By the way as it turns out Pruitt's predecessor, Gina McCarthy, received some ACTUAL threats of harm.

One of which said, “We will hurt you and your family.”

And yet she did not even bother to ask for a bullet proof desk, or even around the clock security.

Go figure. 

20 comments:

  1. Yoo hoo! (OT) The headquarters of Fox boss Rupert Murdoch were raided by investigators working for the European Commission, the Telegraph reports. The headquarters house Fox’s broadcast operation. “Sources at the location told the newspaper that authorities were trying to be discreet and had been told to keep details of their mission confidential,” according to CNBC.

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  2. Anonymous1:53 PM

    Snowflake?

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  3. Anonymous1:56 PM

    Poor Pruit, maybe Trump will give him Ivanka for a night.

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  4. Anonymous2:15 PM

    Mr. Drama Hot Shot. Pruitt is pathetic and corrupt.

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  5. Anonymous2:22 PM

    Did anyone make a rape threat against his daughter?

    Did he forget to report it to the police like the Alaska bozo.

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  6. Anonymous2:31 PM

    What is wrong with these Republicans in Congress and currently in the White House? The majority of them are examples of the most vile Americans we have in our country.

    Trump is 'the ugliest American' we have in our presence daily. He requires impeachment as soon as possible.

    It should be done before he brings us into another war, creates bloodshed in our streets, spreads more hate and ushers many more Americans into bankruptcy and not being able to secure food for their families.

    Trump and Pruitt need to be forced OUT!

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  7. Anonymous2:33 PM

    Imagine the security he would demand if appointed Attorney General!
    Beaglemom

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  8. Anonymous2:50 PM

    It was so obvious from how easily he lies(not even considering his history of behavior) that he is, at the very least, a sociopath. There is no moral compass inside him. He is out for numero uno.

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  9. Anonymous2:59 PM

    Just another self importance gop asswipe.
    These imbeciles don't have a clue.Just another high paying position , so I can look down on all the working class.
    When are we ever going to quit being privileged scared and hateful,racist and selfish , stupid and ignorant!!!
    FU Pruitt fucking imbecile, rat fucker!!!!

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  10. Anonymous3:45 PM

    OT"College senior poses for graduation with gun in her pants"
    "“political correctness offends me,” she posted the provocative photo with the caption:
    “I don’t take normal college graduation photos…”"

    https://nypost.com/2018/04/10/college-senior-poses-for-graduation-with-gun-in-her-pants/

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  11. Anonymous3:46 PM

    Cadet spanky rump bone head spur tells his appointed crooks to take the taxpayers money and waste it if you sign his disclosure.

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  12. Anonymous3:47 PM

    Said it before, and I'll say it again.
    I will take my mundane life ANY day over these self-important, self-indulgent assholes. Who in the hell do they think they are??

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  13. Anonymous4:36 PM

    Scott Pruit has far greater chance of dying from falling into a pit of coal ash than he does from getting assaulted by someone flying coach in an airplane. Like Trump, his master, he just can’t handle the fact that most of us simply don’t like him.

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  14. Anonymous7:07 PM

    Do the republicans ever get sick of themselves being LIARS, CHEATS, CROOKS and lousy actors?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous7:09 PM

    Roseanne just started. Everyone run into your bomb shelters for the next hour to avoid ignorance poisoning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:59 AM

      Like most people are doing, I simply ignore it.

      Delete
  16. Is he a spendthrift? Paranoid? Or both?

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  17. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/scott-pruitt-raises-washington-post_us_5ac7199ae4b07a3485e2eb9b

    "Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt both knew about and supported massive raises for two of his longtime aides, despite denying having any knowledge of the action, The Washington Post reported on Thursday.

    Citing two EPA officials familiar with the decision and a White House official, the Post said Pruitt instructed agency officials to give a $56,765 raise to Sarah Greenwalt and a $28,130 raise to Millan Hupp. Both women worked with Pruitt in Oklahoma where he served as attorney general and followed him to Washington, according to The Atlantic, which first reported the salary bumps.

    Just a day earlier, Pruitt was subject to a blistering line of questioning from Fox News’ Ed Henry, who asked if the EPA administrator had any knowledge of the pay increases, which were carried out through a provision of the Safe Drinking Water Act after the White House rejected them."

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  18. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lobbyist-scratched-out-name-on-pruitt-condo-lease_us_5ac69808e4b09d0a1191b263

    "A copy of Pruitt’s lease was published Thursday by The Washington Post. “Steve” is clearly seen scratched out on the lease to be replaced by “Vicki” Hart. "

    "Three Republican members of Congress have now called for Pruitt’s resignation since it was revealed the EPA chief paid a favorable rent last year to live in a Washington, D.C., condo linked to prominent energy lobbyist Steven Hart.

    Details of the deal emerged in the wake of an investigation into Pruitt’s unusually expensive travel as part of his work for the EPA. One trip to Morocco last year cost $40,000. Pruitt spent his time touting liquified natural gas exports to that nation. The only exporter of liquified natural gas from the continental U.S. is Cheniere Energy Inc. The company was a client of Hart’s lobbying company, Williams & Jenson, while Pruitt was renting the condo. Exxon Mobil is also a client."

    "Pruitt also attempted to inappropriately use his vehicle’s emergency sirens simply to cut through traffic. And The New York Times reported that five EPA officials who challenged Pruitt’s “unusually large spending” were either reassigned, demoted or forced out."

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  19. Can you guess who they are? Too easy.

    https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/andrew-wheeler-epa-vote_us_5ac80acce4b0337ad1e82bab

    "Andrew Wheeler, President Donald Trump’s pick for the Environmental Protection Agency’s No. 2 job, has secured two Democrats’ support ahead of his planned Senate confirmation vote on Monday.

    Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), one of just two Democrats who voted for the nomination of now-embattled EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt last year, told HuffPost she plans to approve the former coal lobbyist, who rejects the science behind climate change. If confirmed, Wheeler would be next in line to take over the agency if Pruitt caves to mounting pressure to resign.

    “After meeting with Mr. Wheeler and reviewing his record, I’ve decided to support his nomination,” Heitkamp told HuffPost by email Friday evening. “I believe he’ll be open to working on issues important to North Dakota in a pragmatic and fair way, and I’ll hold him accountable to make sure he implements the mission of the EPA in a way that works for my state.”

    On Monday, a spokesman for Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), the other Democrat who had voted for Pruitt’s nomination, said he would also vote to confirm Wheeler. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the only GOP senator to vote against Pruitt last year, did not respond to requests for comment.

    “Andrew Wheeler will bring extraordinary credentials to EPA that will greatly assist the agency as we work to implement the president’s agenda,” Liz Bowman, an EPA spokeswoman, told HuffPost. “We appreciate Senator Manchin and Senator Heitkamp’s support.”

    The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted 11-10 along party lines in February to advance Wheeler’s nomination. But the Senate has yet to schedule a vote. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) filed cloture on March 23, and a vote is expected by Monday night. "

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