Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt was confirmed on Feb. 17, 2017, and he's had his unusual 24/7 security detail since day one on the job, the EPA's inspector general told lawmakers in a letter sent on Monday.
EPA Inspector General Arthur Elkins Jr. said Pruitt had requested the blanket security before taking office, and the EPA's Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics, and Training had complied with his request. Elkins sent his letter to Democratic senators who asked for more details on why Pruitt had such a security detail. He noted that his office "played no role in this decision."
Previous EPA administrators have not had constant security, Reuters reports, and agency spokesman Jahan Wilcox said the decision was made "before Administrator Pruitt arrived at EPA." Last month, Pruitt — who has come under scrutiny for his expensive travel and penchant for flying in first class — told lawmakers that he needed 24/7 protection because of threats made against him once he was in office.