Scott Pruitt

Scott Pruitt, born on May 9, 1968, is an American attorney and Republican politician hailing from Oklahoma. He served as the 14th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from February 17, 2017, to July 9, 2018, during the presidency of Donald Trump. His tenure was marked by controversy, as he resigned while facing at least fourteen federal investigations regarding his spending habits and management practices.

Pruitt's political career began in the Oklahoma Senate, where he represented Tulsa and Wagoner counties from 1998 until 2006. He was elected Attorney General of Oklahoma in 2010, a position from which he became known as a staunch opponent of abortion, same-sex marriage, and environmental regulations. As a self-described advocate against the EPA's activist agenda, he initiated at least fourteen lawsuits against the agency.

In 2012, Pruitt was elected chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association, a role he was re-elected to in February 2013. His political campaigns received significant financial backing from the fossil fuel industry, accumulating at least two hundred fifteen thousand five hundred seventy-four dollars between 2010 and 2014.

After being nominated by President Trump, Pruitt was confirmed as EPA Administrator in February 2017. His time in office was characterized by frequent first-class travel and ethical concerns, including a controversial lease of a condo in Washington, D.C., from a lobbyist. Pruitt's actions led to calls for his resignation, which he ultimately announced on July 5, 2018.

In April 2022, Pruitt sought to return to public office by filing to run for the United States Senate in Oklahoma's special election to replace retiring Senator Jim Inhofe. However, he faced defeat in the Republican primary, securing only five percent of the vote.