Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt answers reporters' questions during a briefing at the White House June 2, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Pruitt Admits He Flies First Class to Avoid People Mad At Him for Destroying the Planet
"This is a pretty amazing statement, if you think about it. He's saying that there will be fewer people opposed to his policies in first class."
Under intense scrutiny for taking expensive first class flights and staying in luxury hotels on the taxpayer's dime, EPA chief Scott Pruitt informed the public of the real reason he stays away from coach: to avoid uncomfortable interactions with people who are mad at him for trying to destroy the planet.
"If you think you're too good to sit next to people who have to work for a living, you're also going to be fine cutting programs they rely on, so you can give even more to your buddies in first class."
--Rep. Keith Ellison
"We live in a very toxic environment politically," Pruitt explained in an interview with the New Hampshire Union Leader this week--an interesting choice of words, given that the EPA chief's policy moves have greatly contributed to the toxicity of the actual geophysical environment.
In separate remarks to New Hampshire's WMUR TV, Pruitt said "there have been instances, unfortunately, during my time as administrator, as I've flown and spent time, of interaction that's not been the best."
"And, so, ingress and egress off the plane...that's all decisions all made by our [security] detail team, by the chief of staff, by the administration," Pruitt added. "I don't make any of those decisions."
Pruitt's comments came during his short stint in New Hampshire--where he arrived on a first-class flight--to meet with Republican Gov. Chris Sununu and tour a toxic waste site.
Since the Washington Post reported on the dozens of first-class flights Pruitt has taken during his tenure--which have cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars--the EPA has been scrambling to explain why such expensive flights were justified.
Originally, the agency claimed in response to the Post's reporting that Pruitt had received a "blanket waiver" to travel first class whenever he pleases. But after Politico explained that such a waiver would be illegal, the EPA reversed course and said Pruitt "submits a waiver to fly in either first or business class" for every trip.
Critics were quick to ridicule Pruitt's comments on social media and raise serious questions about the claim that "unpleasant interactions" with people who disagree with the EPA's pro-fossil fuel policy agenda constitute a security threat.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Under intense scrutiny for taking expensive first class flights and staying in luxury hotels on the taxpayer's dime, EPA chief Scott Pruitt informed the public of the real reason he stays away from coach: to avoid uncomfortable interactions with people who are mad at him for trying to destroy the planet.
"If you think you're too good to sit next to people who have to work for a living, you're also going to be fine cutting programs they rely on, so you can give even more to your buddies in first class."
--Rep. Keith Ellison
"We live in a very toxic environment politically," Pruitt explained in an interview with the New Hampshire Union Leader this week--an interesting choice of words, given that the EPA chief's policy moves have greatly contributed to the toxicity of the actual geophysical environment.
In separate remarks to New Hampshire's WMUR TV, Pruitt said "there have been instances, unfortunately, during my time as administrator, as I've flown and spent time, of interaction that's not been the best."
"And, so, ingress and egress off the plane...that's all decisions all made by our [security] detail team, by the chief of staff, by the administration," Pruitt added. "I don't make any of those decisions."
Pruitt's comments came during his short stint in New Hampshire--where he arrived on a first-class flight--to meet with Republican Gov. Chris Sununu and tour a toxic waste site.
Since the Washington Post reported on the dozens of first-class flights Pruitt has taken during his tenure--which have cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars--the EPA has been scrambling to explain why such expensive flights were justified.
Originally, the agency claimed in response to the Post's reporting that Pruitt had received a "blanket waiver" to travel first class whenever he pleases. But after Politico explained that such a waiver would be illegal, the EPA reversed course and said Pruitt "submits a waiver to fly in either first or business class" for every trip.
Critics were quick to ridicule Pruitt's comments on social media and raise serious questions about the claim that "unpleasant interactions" with people who disagree with the EPA's pro-fossil fuel policy agenda constitute a security threat.
Under intense scrutiny for taking expensive first class flights and staying in luxury hotels on the taxpayer's dime, EPA chief Scott Pruitt informed the public of the real reason he stays away from coach: to avoid uncomfortable interactions with people who are mad at him for trying to destroy the planet.
"If you think you're too good to sit next to people who have to work for a living, you're also going to be fine cutting programs they rely on, so you can give even more to your buddies in first class."
--Rep. Keith Ellison
"We live in a very toxic environment politically," Pruitt explained in an interview with the New Hampshire Union Leader this week--an interesting choice of words, given that the EPA chief's policy moves have greatly contributed to the toxicity of the actual geophysical environment.
In separate remarks to New Hampshire's WMUR TV, Pruitt said "there have been instances, unfortunately, during my time as administrator, as I've flown and spent time, of interaction that's not been the best."
"And, so, ingress and egress off the plane...that's all decisions all made by our [security] detail team, by the chief of staff, by the administration," Pruitt added. "I don't make any of those decisions."
Pruitt's comments came during his short stint in New Hampshire--where he arrived on a first-class flight--to meet with Republican Gov. Chris Sununu and tour a toxic waste site.
Since the Washington Post reported on the dozens of first-class flights Pruitt has taken during his tenure--which have cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars--the EPA has been scrambling to explain why such expensive flights were justified.
Originally, the agency claimed in response to the Post's reporting that Pruitt had received a "blanket waiver" to travel first class whenever he pleases. But after Politico explained that such a waiver would be illegal, the EPA reversed course and said Pruitt "submits a waiver to fly in either first or business class" for every trip.
Critics were quick to ridicule Pruitt's comments on social media and raise serious questions about the claim that "unpleasant interactions" with people who disagree with the EPA's pro-fossil fuel policy agenda constitute a security threat.