Scott Pruitt actually is doing a pretty lousy job at killing environmental regulations

Scott Pruitt.
(Image credit: Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)

Conservative lawmakers and groups have been rallying behind embattled EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, arguing that despite his hefty government spending on travel and security and questionable ethical choices, he's doing a good job at rolling back environmental regulations. President Trump appears sympathetic to that argument. Environmentalists, meanwhile, are starting to quietly and happily question Pruitt's regulatory rollback prowess.

"Legal experts and White House officials say that in Mr. Pruitt's haste to undo government rules and in his eagerness to hold high-profile political events promoting his agenda, he has often been less than rigorous in following important procedures, leading to poorly crafted legal efforts that risk being struck down in court," The New York Times reports. Six of Pruitt's attempts to scrap or delay regulations enacted under former President Barack Obama have already been struck down in court, and he's had to withdraw a regulation on mercury pollution and walk back other proposed changes.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.