July, 05 2018, 12:00am EDT

Pruitt's Departure Welcome, But Overdue
Statement by Ken Kimmell, President, Union of Concerned Scientists
WASHINGTON
Following a series of scandalous revelations about his conduct in office, Scott Pruitt will no longer serve as administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). His departure is a positive step, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists--not just because of his personal corruption but because of how his actions have violated the mission of the agency.
Below is a statement by Ken Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
"It was clear from the beginning that Scott Pruitt had no interest in protecting public health and safety, and it's unfortunate that he wasn't dismissed until he became a clear political liability.
"While he clearly violated ethical standards and bilked taxpayers, he inflicted far worse injury on American children and families by abandoning science and the EPA's public health and environmental mission. Mr. Pruitt reversed a proposal to ban the neurotoxic pesticide chlorpyrifos, going against all credible scientific advice. He moved to increase cancer-causing air pollution from major industrial sources across the country. He threw out years of research to undo vehicle standards that have delivered cleaner cars.
"It's time for the EPA to clean house.
"In 1983, after a series of ethics violations plagued the EPA, President Reagan turned to Bill Ruckleshaus to lead the agency. The independent and experienced leader cared deeply about the future of the agency and restored its effectiveness. The next EPA administrator needs to be someone who will uphold independent science and commit wholeheartedly to the agency's science-based mission of protecting public health and the environment. Until then, Congress should conduct considerably more oversight because political appointees at the EPA are sidelining science and compromising the agency's effectiveness.
The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices.
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Nearly two months into a new year, the trend in the Mediterranean has persisted. IOM pointed to the "unprecedented number of migrant deaths in the first two months of 2026, with 606 recorded" as of Tuesday.
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Reporting on the new IOM data, Politico noted Thursday:
The EU's priority now is "about bringing illegal arrivals to a minimum and keeping those numbers there," Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner said when presenting the bloc's migration strategy in January.
That's "not as an end in itself," he said, but reduces pressure on EU countries, prevents abuse, reinforces people's trust in the EU, and helps save lives. "Any smuggling trip prevented is potentially a life which we save."
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He wrote that Martinez's car was "only crawling" during the encounter, when an officer on the driver's side of the vehicle drew his weapon and fired without “giving any warning, commands, or opportunity to comply.”
Martinez “did not hit anyone," said Orta in the statement.
Reyes told the Associated Press last week that her son was shot three times.
Internal documents at HSI, an office within ICE, conflicted with Orta's account and said Martinez initially declined instructions to stop driving, then "accelerated forward" and struck an HSI agent “who wound up on the hood of the vehicle.”
Another supervisory HSI agent then fatally shot Martinez, according to the documents.
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Mind blown about the early vote in Texas. TX Dems may outvote the GOP for the 1st time in a midterm primary since 2002!
This indicates they're well on their way to having higher primary turnout nationally & since 06 the party w/ higher primary turnout won the House every time. pic.twitter.com/QaBlWZOCi2
— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) February 25, 2026
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