Email disputes Pruitt account on motorcade lights, siren

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers at a Senate hearing Wednesday hammered Scott Pruitt with his toughest questioning to date amid federal investigations on his spending, bodyguards and ties with lobbyists, in exchanges that included dramatic production of a newly released internal email that appeared to contradict the embattled Environmental Protection Agency administrator.

Pruitt, appearing before a Senate appropriations subcommittee, denied direct responsibility for alleged ethical missteps that have prompted about a dozen probes, including ones by Congress, the EPA’s inspector general, the Government Accountability Office and the Office of Management of Budget. He stuck to his practice in a previous round of congressional hearings of deflecting blame onto subordinates at EPA, including its security agents and publicaffairs workers.

Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico, the panel’s top Democrat and a former state attorney general like Pruitt, led Democrats’ questioning. At one point, Udall asked Pruitt about news reports that the agency head liked his motorcade to switch on flashing lights and sirens to cut through traffic.

“I don’t recall that happening,” Pruitt said when asked by Udall if he had ordered lights and sirens.

“There are policies that agencies follow. The agency has followed the policy to the best of my knowledge. No, I don’t recall.” Udall then disclosed an internal email indicating Pruitt did.

The email, written by then-EPA special agent Pasquale “Nino” Perrotta just days after Pruitt’s confirmation in February 2017, has the subject line “Lights and Sirens.” It added “Btw — Administrator encourages the use.”

Pruitt later promoted Perrotta to lead his roundthe-clock personal protective detail. Former EPA officials have told The Associated Press that Pruitt made the change after Perrotta’s predecessor refused to use lights and sirens in non-emergencies.

Time and again, Pruitt responded to questions by saying he either couldn’t recall details or was unaware of decisions made by aides. Asked why comment from Dow Chemical Co. wound up in an EPA document, for example, Pruitt suggested public affairs staffers were responsible.

He confirmed a few points from recent news stories, including the launch of a legal defense fund, which he said was done by others.

ANDREW HARNIK/AP Members of the audience wear shirts identifying themselves as being part of Moms Clean Air Force as EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt testifies before a Senate panel.

MARK WILSON/GETTY EPA chief Scott Pruitt faced tough questions.