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Scott Pruitt was known at the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency for sipping $ 10 of kale infused organic juice, wearing Ferragamo shoes with his Hickey Freeman costumes and making biblical references in texts and conversations with assistants. On the other hand, is a policy wonk who keeps his religious opinions private and collects memories of Coca-Cola.
This contrast came to mind as Wheeler prepares to take the lead of the agency on Monday in the wake of Pruitt. resignation amid allegations of excessive spending and ethical misconduct . This is a testament to the change that has been made – in fits and starts – as Trump's Cabinet moves from a team of prominent personalities to join a team of technocrats in the early days of administration. more and more numerous
. the Cabinet still includes unconventional choices, such as the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ben Carson, a former surgeon, he fills more and more hands more experienced Washington. The Ministry of Health and Social Services is now headed by Alex Azar, a former pharmaceutical executive who served as the deputy secretary of the department under George W. Bush. And Trump named Robert Wilkie, who developed his military policy experience for three decades on Capitol Hill and in the executive branch, to serve as secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Josh Holmes, longtime advisor to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Said in an interview Friday that almost every administration has high-level secretaries who "generally give way to low profile people who actually run the department.I think they probably manage them better. "
" You're dealing with people who know how to make bureaucracies, "Holmes adds.
In some cases, the transfers were stimulated by the own behavior of Cabinet members: In addition to Pruitt, HHS Secretary Tom Price and VA Secretary David Shulkin lost their jobs after their expensive travel practices were examined.
Max Stier, President and CEO of the Partnership for the Public Service his Cabinet after the 2016 elections and largely ignored the documents prepared by his then-Gov transition leader. Chris Christie (NS)
"You have to ask the question, did he choose?" It's hard to say yes, "said Stier.
Trump, according to two of his advisers, remains unhappy about having to get rid of Pruitt. But White House officials – especially Chief of Staff John F. Kelly – have argued that Wheeler could accomplish the same regulatory restrictions without the tragedy.
In Trump's phone call with Wheeler on Thursday, according to two senior officials expressed concern that swirling controversy over Pruitt's actions to enlist employees in personal tasks and spend taxpayer funds on trips High-end had demoralized the "Trump people" at the EPA – including some who had left. that its quarter of a century in Washington had prepared it for the moment.
"I realized that I'm going to get into a job that is much more prominent than I would have liked," he said. . "But I really think [with] my background, at this time, that it's good work for me."
Wheeler is likely to remain an interim administrator for the considerable future, said White House officials, they do not expect that other candidates will be confirmed before midnight. session.
Firing Pruitt was seen among many uncompromising Trump advisers as yielding to the left without merit
"This is going to have far greater implications, than people think," said Stephen K. Bannon, l & # 39; former strategist of the president, in an interview. "Pruitt was strategic in the deconstruction of the administrative state to the EPA, which is the beating heart of this regulatory leviathan."
"Pruitt was relatively unique by combining a deep understanding of the problems with the legal measures to act "he said But Republicans and Democrats said that Wheeler had much more experience with energy and the environment that Pruitt and that he had shown his willingness to forge compromises with the other party.Today, Thomas R. Carper (Del.), The Principal Democrat of the Senate Committee on the Environment and public works , who was working with Wheeler while he was working on re-equipping buses with cleaner diesel engines, asked him to seize the opportunity
"Although you and I are not always d & # 39; agree, and we do not always agree, on all environmental policy issues, I hope you will carefully consider the lessons of the past as you prepare for the future of the agency, "writes Carper.
Wheeler stated that he did not envision significant changes in political orientation. "I do not think the general program will change as much, because we are implementing what the president has planned for the agency," he said.
But even though he declined to comment on the approach of his predecessor Wheeler said it would focus on transparency. "The more transparent we are, the more our decisions will be understood."
Joseph Stanko, a law firm associate of Hunton law firm Andrews Kurth, said in an interview that Wheeler is empowered to withdraw many of the rules of the Obama era. focus on the details to avoid court challenges.
"If you are an expert on environmental policy, it will be the golden age of the wonks," said Stanko. "The direction to do it has already been given, and it does not matter if there is a trade war going on or if Kim Jong Un has or does not have any weapons You do not need to make your way to the Oval Office. "
Number of men and women that Wheeler hired when he was director of staff of the EPW committee, under the direction of Senator James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), Are serving in senior positions throughout the Trump administration. Nicknamed the "has-beens" by Inhofe, they include Ryan Jackson , Chief of Staff of the EPA; Alex Herrgott, Associate Director of the Council on Environmental Quality; Francis R. Fannon, Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources; and Annie Caputo, Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
But Wheeler – who challenged Pruitt's strategy sessions on ethical issues – devoted the major Part of his time is spent on internal political briefings and meetings with career staff. Unlike Pruitt's diary – who travels the country to speak at industry meetings, grant media interviews and meet with governors, energy officials and farm groups – Wheeler was decidedly more hardworking. information sessions with EPA staff members and meetings with counterparts from other agencies and the White House, as well as a few meetings with groups such as the National Association manufacturers and the American Chemistry Council.
at least three EPA regional offices – in Atlanta, Philadelphia and New York – as well as the campus of the agency in the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. While Pruitt traveled to dozens of states, the majority of Wheeler's meetings took place at the same place: the EPA headquarters in Washington
Pruitt expressed his frustration at the financial constraints he was facing. confronted as an administrator. apartment on his salary of $ 189,600. Wheeler arrives in a much better financial situation
His financial information shows that he earned $ 741,074 in salary and bonus from his law firm, Faegre Baker Daniels, before arriving at the EPA, with at least 11 other different sources of income.
In the e-mails published under public records, Wheeler showed that his time in the private sector earned him a reputation for being an ally of the industry – as well as a sense of purpose. ;humor.
In October, a few days after President Trump Wheeler sent a link from the new satirical website The Onion to a group consisting of representatives of the energy industry, colleagues from his office, and a number of people. lawyers and Jackson, the chief of staff of Pruitt
. title: "EPA promotes pulsating black mud to deputy director."
"Welcome, pulsating black mud," Jackson replied. "I guess I'm going to have to bring in cleaning crews more often."
Read more:
Scott Pruitt resigns in the wake of the leadership, spending scandals
Meet Andrew Wheeler, the new head of the EPA
Pruitt called for help , GOP donors, to get a job in a conservative DC group
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