EPA Chief Refuses to Say if Trump Believes Climate Change Is Real, Says US Not Required to Keep Promises
Scott Pruitt Says Paris Agreement Just ‘A Bunch of Words’
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt says America is not required to keep its promises, but refuses to say if President Trump believes climate change is real.Â
Speaking to reporters during Friday’s White House daily press briefing, Pruitt was asked repeatedly about climate change.Â
Refusing to answer a very direct question from ABC News’ Mary Bruce, the Environmental Protection Agency chief responded by suggesting that the only thing that matters is if America got a good deal under the Paris Agreement. He also said that since, in his estimation, the Paris Agreement would not be enough to combat climate change, there was no reason to participate.
EPA head Scott Pruitt dodges, refuses to say if Trump believes human activity contributes to climate change. (via @MSNBC) pic.twitter.com/0A0oPZvuWf
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 2, 2017
And, again:
EPA head Scott Pruitt dodges, refuses to say if Trump believes human activity contributes to climate change. https://t.co/xH4f71xGHx
— Hardball (@hardball) June 2, 2017
Pruitt went on to call the Paris Agreement Paris “a bunch of words” that would only result in “very, very minimal environmental benefits.”Â
Scott Pruitt: the Paris climate deal “was a bunch of words committed to very, very minimal environmental benefits” https://t.co/JFbTQJygEW
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) June 2, 2017
Earlier in the briefing, CNN’s Jim Acosta asked a powerful “question” that really shows how hypocritical Pruitt is:
Pruitt: “We have done a tremendous amount as a country to achieve reductions in CO2” https://t.co/7ZH1DG8X7Z
— Daniella Diaz (@DaniellaMicaela) June 2, 2017
Just before Pruitt hastily ran off, one reporter asked him if President Trump broke America’s promise to 190 countries by exiting the Paris Accord. His response:Â
As he exited reporters shouted, “So our word is not our bond?”
Some responses via Twitter:
The man in charge of the Environmental Protection Agency can’t say whether Trump believes in climate change.
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) June 2, 2017
Stunning how many WH officials have been sent out to talk about climate w/ reporters & refuse to (or can’t!) answer if POTUS believes in it.
— Ali Vitali (@alivitali) June 2, 2017
Scott Pruitt: “He answers to the people, not special interests.*”
*Nearly half of Scott Pruitt’s donations came from energy.#ActOnClimate
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) June 1, 2017
Pruitt was asked many times by many reporters if Trump believes human acitivity contributes to climate change. He dodged the Qs every time.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 2, 2017
Pruitt now arguing that word of US is no good unless it’s a treaty.
— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) June 2, 2017
As Pruitt leaves a reporter yells out… “Our word is not our bond.” #pressbriefing pic.twitter.com/iPCuPvOvCR
— Call Me Covfefe (@paleblueeyes24) June 2, 2017
PRUITT: “If it was a promise that was enforceable it should have been ratified as a treaty.” WHAT?!?!
— Staci (@MsEbony23) June 2, 2017
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