Former Trump Official Had Security Detail Drive Wrong Way to Pick Up Dry Cleaning Because He Was Running Late

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Scott Pruitt, who led the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during Donald Trump's administration, repeatedly pressured federal security officers to drive his government-issued car at high speeds — dangerously at times — with sirens and flashing lights on because he was often running late, according to a report by a special agent in the EPA's criminal enforcement division.

"Mr. Pruitt endangered public safety by routinely directing his [personal security detail] to use emergency lights and sirens and 'excessive speed' in non-emergency situations," special counsel Henry J. Kerner wrote in a letter to President Joe Biden that included the report released on Thursday.

Kerner writes that the report "included evidence that Pruitt directed an agent to 'recklessly' use lights and sirens while driving against oncoming traffic so that Mr. Pruitt could pick up his dry cleaning when he was already 35 minutes late to an EPA meeting."

He adds that the agent did not believe that he could refuse the order.

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"Can you guys use that magic button to get us through traffic?" Pruitt asked his driver in another example included in the report.

One agent "described how awkward it is in the car when the Administrator is saying 'speed it up,' and 'we need to get there quicker,' " according to the report. "That is direction from the head of the Agency, and it is hard to disobey."

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Pruitt, a former Oklahoma attorney general, is now running for Senate in that state.

He resigned from his position at the EPA in July 2018 after months of ethics controversies after the Senate confirmed him in February 2017.

Politicians — from both parties — as well as environmental groups raised questions about his spending and lavish travel practices along with his use of multiple email accounts and round-the-clock security detail.

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During his 17 months in office, he faced several investigations into his first-class plane travel, a room that he rented from a lobbyist at $50 per night and the installation of a soundproof booth in his office.

Pruitt "engaged in improper and excessive spending of agency funds on travel and security; used his official position for his personal benefit and the personal benefit of certain E.P.A. staffers; and endangered public safety," according to the letter from Kerner, who wrote that the investigation substantiated whistleblowers' claims initially revealed in 2018.

The accounts of the use of lights and sirens on government cars and erratic driving had not been previously reported, according to The New York Times.

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Interviewed for the investigation, a deputy chief of staff for Pruitt said "extreme speed and lights and sirens were utilized" while driving from the White House to the EPA offices, a trip of about four blocks.

The deputy chief of staff described the use of lights and sirens as "overly obnoxious, excessive, and more dangerous to everyone."

When one member of Pruitt's security detail refused to turn on the lights and sirens because running late was not an emergency and it was against policy, the EPA head was "visibly upset and was silent for an uncomfortable time in the car," according to the report.

The agent was later let go, the report states.