Guarding the EPA Chief Pulls Agents from Pursuing Environmental Crimes

"Scott Pruitt’s round-the-clock personal security detail, which demands triple the manpower of his predecessors at the Environmental Protection Agency, has prompted officials to rotate in special agents from around the country who otherwise would be investigating environmental crimes.

The EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance has summoned agents from various cities to serve two-week stints helping guard Pruitt in recent months. While hiring in many departments is frozen, the agency has sought an exception to hire additional full-time staff to protect Pruitt.

Shortly after the former Oklahoma attorney general assumed his post in February, aides requested 24/7 federal protection for him.

'This never happened with prior administrators,' said Michael Hubbard, a former special agent who led the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division office in Boston."

Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis report for the Washington Post September 20, 2017.