'If I were the president, I'd get rid of you': Scott Pruitt lacerated at ethics hearing

EPA administrator blames media and his job’s learning curve as lawmakers grill him over lavish spending and ethical controversies

Scott Pruitt, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, has blamed the media and the “learning process” of his job for the flurry of ethical controversies that have engulfed his tenure, during a lacerating congressional hearing.

Pruitt said opponents of Donald Trump, and the media, had sought to “derail the president’s agenda and priorities” by highlighting the questionable use of taxpayer funds for first-class flights, office furniture and 24-hour personal security, as well as his use of a Washington apartment owned by an energy lobbyist’s wife.

Related: EPA insiders bemoan low point in agency's history: 'People are so done'

There’s a pattern of putting personal and special interests ahead of the American people

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