Under-fire EPA chief Scott Pruitt steps down

US ENVIRONMENTAL Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt resigned last night amid ethics investigations of outsized security spending, first-class flights and a sweetheart condo lease.

With Pruitt’s departure, President Donald Trump loses what many conservatives regarded as one of the more effective members of his cabinet.

However, Pruitt had also been dogged by a seemingly unending string of scandals that spawned more than a dozen federal and congressional investigations.

In a resignation letter released to media outlets, Pruitt expressed no regret for any actions he had taken since assuming the role last year.

“It is extremely difficult for me to cease serving you in this role first because I count it a blessing to be serving you in any capacity, but also, because of the transformative work that is occurring,” Pruitt wrote. “However, the unrelenting attacks on me personally, my family, are unprecedented and have taken a sizable toll on all of us.”

Mr Trump said in a tweet that Deputy Administrator Andrew Wheeler will assume the acting administrator position Monday.

Pruitt’s resignation came days after two of his former senior staffers spoke to House oversight committee investigators and revealed new, embarrassing details in ethics allegations against Pruitt.

There have also been a series of revelations involving trips with first-class airline seats and unusual security spending, including a $43,000 soundproof booth for making private phone calls.”