Confirmations and withdrawals: Trump’s cabinet
Donald Trump’s pick to head the US Environmental Protection Agency will face a Senate confirmation vote on Friday.
Scott Pruitt’s candidacy certainly breaks precedent. As Oklahoma’s attorney-general, Mr Pruitt filed more than a dozen actions against the very agency he’s set to head. Indeed, during his Senate hearing last month, Trump’s pick stated that human influence on climate change is yet to be further debated.
Concerns about Pruitt’s fitness for the role are just the tip of a growing iceberg of issues for President Trump. The administration is still reeling from the sudden withdrawal of Labour Secretary nominee Andy Pudzer – a candidate who drew ire for allegedly mistreating his employees.
The White House is also yet to fill the shoes of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Although former Navy Seal Robert Harward has reportedly been offered the job, he has requested a few days to think it over – hardly a sign of confidence in Mr Trump’s administration.
The controversy surrounding Flynn’s resignation is even more worrying for the president, particularly after allegations that members of his campaign team spoke to Russian intelligence officials before the election.
Amid this turbulence, the Republican-dominated Senate is likely to usher Pruitt in and hope his confirmation will bring some stability to a shaky cabinet.