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Democracy Dies in Darkness WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018 Lobbyist helped set up costly Pruitt trip

Longtime friend of EPA The four-day journey has drawn scru- chief would later net tiny from lawmakers and the EPA’s inspec- a contract with Morocco tor general, who is investigating its high costs and whether it adhered to the agen- by Kevin Sullivan, cy’s mission to “protect human health and Juliet Eilperin the environment.” and Brady Dennis Information obtained by The Wash- ington Post shows the visit’s cost exceeded MARRAKESH, MOROCCO — A controversial $100,000, more than twice what has been trip to Morocco by Environmental Protec- previously reported — including $16,217 tion Agency chief Scott Pruitt last Decem- for Pruitt’s Delta Air Lines fare and $494 ber was partly arranged by a longtime for him to spend one night at a luxury hotel friend and lobbyist, who accompanied in Paris. He was accompanied by eight Pruitt and his entourage at multiple stops staffers and his round-the-clock security and served as an informal liaison at both detail. official and social events during the visit. Richard Smotkin, a former Comcast lobbyist who has known the EPA admin- istrator for years, worked for months with Pruitt’s aides to hammer out logistics, according to four people familiar with those preparations. In April, Smotkin won a $40,000-a-month contract, retroactive to Jan. 1, with the Moroccan government to promote the kingdom’s cultural and eco- ANDREW HARNIK/ASSOCIATED PRESS nomic interests. He recently registered as Environmental Protection a foreign agent representing that govern- Agency chief Scott Pruitt’s Morocco trip cost more than ment. $100,000, documents show. WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 2

Lobbyist’s role in Pruitt’s Morocco trip raises ethics issues

Smotkin’s role in arranging the whirl- efit friends, relatives or other people with wind visit raises many questions. Federal whom they have personal connections. laws prohibit public officials from using Smotkin did not return calls and government resources to financially ben- emails seeking comment about his role in

PHOTOS BY KEVIN SULLIVAN/THE WASHINGTON POST The Sofitel Marrakesh Palais Imperial hotel, above, part of a French luxury chain, offers deluxe accommodations and perks such as champagne and strawberries, left, at its lunch buffet. Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt stayed in at least two Sofitels during his trip to Morocco. WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 3

the trip or his relationship with Pruitt. using his official office to benefit a private Pruitt faces inquiries about his spending, person.” ethics and management decisions, includ- Even as some elements of the trip ing his first-class travels and a $50-a-night remain unclear, EPA officials confirmed condo rental from a Washington lobbyist. that Smotkin brokered Pruitt’s initial The Morocco trip has drawn special atten- meeting with Morocco’s ambassador in tion for its expense and purpose. Washington, when she extended an invita- For months, many aspects of the jour- tion to travel to her country. Smotkin also ney have stayed secret, particularly the accompanied Pruitt at multiple stops dur- highly unusual role of Smotkin. These ing his visit, the EPA and others confirmed. previously unreported details underscore Unlike most Cabinet-level travel, for lawmakers’ questions about whether the which the agenda and policy outcomes are trip was in keeping with Pruitt’s role as the finalized weeks in advance, Pruitt’s office nation’s top environmental official. changed the schedule even while he was The EPA has insisted that the trip was there, according to several people familiar a legitimate effort to nail down details of a with the visit. Though the EPA chief did bilateral trade agreement, and the agency visit a solar power research installation, said Monday that Pruitt was unaware of he canceled a public appearance with an the depth of Smotkin’s business relation- energy efficiency expert at an international ship with the Moroccan government. conference in Marrakesh and instead met Ethics experts note that it is highly with the chairman of a large phosphate unusual for someone outside the U.S. gov- exporter. ernment to help arrange such travel details Smotkin attended both the visit to the for the head of a federal agency. Larry Green Energy Park and the meeting with Noble, senior director and general coun- the phosphate executive. He also joined sel at the Campaign Legal Center, said Pruitt for dinner on the EPA chief’s final Tuesday that the lobbyist’s involvement night in Marrakesh, the EPA confirmed. raises issues about whether Pruitt went to The reasons behind the trip came up Morocco partly to bolster Smotkin’s stand- again last week in Washington when Rep. ing within the kingdom. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) grilled Pruitt “It shows, at the very least, a tre- during the second of two contentious mendous amount of sloppiness, and it House hearings. She pressed him on why raises ethical issues about the relation- the EPA trumpeted the fact that part of ship between Smotkin and Pruitt,” Noble his time was spent promoting the benefits said. “If Pruitt did this to benefit Smotkin of U.S. liquefied natural gas imports for and did this to show that Smotkin has an Morocco’s economy. in with the EPA administrator, then he’s “I can’t, for the life of me, imagine why WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 4

an EPA administrator would be over there spokesman Jahan Wilcox acknowledged promoting energy sales,” Pingree said. “We that Smotkin “assisted in arranging.” have a Department of Energy. You should Smotkin worked with two of Pruitt’s be thinking much more about some of the top aides, senior counsel Sarah Greenwalt challenges with [liquefied natural gas], and then-deputy advance director Mil- and why you would be on the other side.” lan Hupp, to line up specific aspects of the “There’s a free-trade agreement,” Pruitt agenda, according to four people familiar replied. “The ambassador of Morocco actu- with the process, all of whom spoke on ally met with me in advance of a free-trade the condition of anonymity to discuss the agreement that was being negotiated and agency’s internal workings. being completed in February of this year. For example, Smotkin discussed the We were there in December to negotiate prospect of Pruitt speaking at the Atlan- the environmental chapter. That was the tic Dialogues, a conference in Marrakesh focus of the trip. There was a lot of refer- underwritten by the OCP Policy Center, ence made to [liquefied natural gas] only the think-tank arm of a major phosphate because the ambassador asked me to share export firm in Morocco. Pruitt later can- that with the individuals when I was in celed his appearance. country.” Some of this scheduling activity took The accord that Pruitt said was final- place before the meeting with Morocco’s ized in February actually remains unfin- ambassador, these people said. At the time, ished. It is slated to be done this month. Pruitt indicated he had been invited by This account of his Morocco visit is Prince Moulay Rachid, the king’s brother. based on federal records, as well as inter- During the subsequent planning, people views with government officials and mem- familiar with the discussions said, Pruitt bers of the private sector in both countries. repeatedly expressed interest in how the Most spoke on the condition of anonymity trip could help advance American natural because of the questions being raised. The gas interests. Paris-based publication Africa Intelligence Moroccan officials, who are hoping recently reported on some elements of the to establish a terminal that could ship trip. imported liquefied natural gas to the coun- Multiple administration officials say try’s power plants, announced two weeks Pruitt had raised the prospect of going before Pruitt’s arrival that they would be to Morocco well before he received a for- soliciting bids in 2018. That imported gas mal invitation from its ambassador to the could help power a number of operations, United States, Princess Lalla Joumala including Morocco’s phosphate industry. Alaoui, during a meeting at EPA head- Asked about the visit, the Moroccan quarters in late October — a meeting EPA Embassy in Washington released a state- WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 5

ment Monday: “All meetings during this Smotkin wrote to Sydney Hupp. “What working visit were organized through offi- times would be best on Monday to make cial diplomatic channels with the objective this happen?” to explore ways and means to deepen and “Hey Rick, you already spoke with broaden our bilateral work, namely in sup- Admin. Pruitt about this? Looking at Mon- port of the Kingdom’s various initiatives to day now . . . Thanks!” replied Hupp, whose protect the environment, reduce Morocco’s sister Millan now directs scheduling and carbon footprint and promote sustainable advance for the EPA. development.” That brief “meet and greet” at EPA Separately, the EPA said in a statement headquarters pales in comparison with that its “Office of International and Tribal Pruitt’s trip to Morocco, notable in part Affairs organized and led the effort around for his costly premium-class airfare and Administrator Pruitt’s official meetings his stays in at least two Sofitels, part of the with the Moroccan government.” French-owned luxury chain. Comcast spokeswoman Sena Fitzmau- The actual journey was beset by logis- rice said that Smotkin, who had served as tical problems. His entourage’s flight from the company’s liaison to state attorneys Dulles International Airport was plagued general, left that position in July. He has by weather delays, prompting him, his aides known Pruitt for roughly a decade, she and security agents to miss their connect- said. ing flight and stay overnight in Paris. Pruitt Documents released under the and a handful of aides instead went into Freedom of Information Act reference Paris to spend the night in a $494-a-night repeated contact, including texts, between hotel. the two men during the early days of the Pruitt’s late arrival in Rabat caused Trump administration. Pruitt’s calendar him to miss a scheduled U.S. Embassy also shows that they ate together just days briefing and roundtable there. The dis- after he was sworn into office, and officials cussion focused on how American firms familiar with his schedule say they dined were pioneering technological innova- together on multiple occasions last year. tion in Morocco and could benefit from an Weeks after Pruitt’s confirmation, increased natural gas supply — an event Smotkin also orchestrated for Pruitt to Wilcox said that Smotkin also attended. meet personally with former Canadian The administrator had a single meet- prime minister Stephen Harper. In an ing after arriving on Dec. 11, according to exchange first reported by HuffPost, Smot- his public schedule, with the chief execu- kin emailed one of the administrator’s tive of the Moroccan Agency of Sustain- schedulers to bring the two men together. able Energy. A spokesman for Mustapha “Hi there. Been texting w the boss,” Bakkoury said he was not available for an WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 6

interview and did not reply to a request the minister of energy, mines and sustain- that he confirm that the businessman met able development; and Justice Minister with Pruitt. Mohamed Aujjar. That evening, Pruitt and his staff- Reached on his cellphone, Aujjar was ers stayed at the Sofitel Rabat Jardin des asked about his meeting with Pruitt. He Roses. His accompanying protective detail said “Who?” three times as the reporter made an impression on some hotel staffers, repeated Pruitt’s name, then referred ques- with one employee recognizing Pruitt and tions to his spokeswoman, who did not an aide right away when shown photos last answer repeated requests for confirmation weekend. of the two men’s meeting. “They were here in December,” she Boucetta and her spokesman did not said. “They had lots of security with them. respond to repeated requests for confirma- They were unapproachable.” tion of her meeting with Pruitt. Rabbah’s The EPA said in a statement that spokeswoman initially said he would do an Smotkin “did not attend or participate in-person interview, then a few hours later in any official meetings with the Moroc- said he was no longer available. She later can government,” but people familiar with would not confirm that meeting because the visit said he was a near-constant pres- she said his schedule was “confidential.” ence there. According to two individuals, One of only two Moroccan officials to he communicated with Isam Taib, politi- meet with Pruitt and acknowledge that to cal counselor to the Moroccan Embassy in The Post was Said Mouline, chief execu- Washington. Taib not only traveled back tive of the Moroccan Agency for Energy to his home country for Pruitt’s arrival but Efficiency. He said that officials at the also signed the official contract retaining OCP Policy Center asked him to meet with Smotkin’s public relations services. Pruitt. Smotkin also was listed as a partici- Top Moroccan government officials pant at the event. were unwilling to discuss their dealings Mouline and Pruitt were originally with Pruitt. scheduled to have an onstage discussion On a visit last week to Rabat by a at the event, but it was canceled at the last Washington Post reporter, several officials minute for reasons Mouline said he did who met with him would not acknowledge not know. Instead, he said, the two shared doing so — despite photos that the EPA breakfast in Marrakesh just before Pruitt itself published from some of those ses- headed back to Washington on Dec. 13. sions. Pruitt and several aides listened qui- Pruitt’s public schedule lists back- etly as he explained his agency’s work in to-back appointments on the morning of promoting renewable energy sources and Dec. 12 with Mounia Boucetta, a top offi- energy efficiency, Mouline recalled. He cial in the foreign ministry; Aziz Rabbah, said he also spoke about climate change WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 7

and how Africa is not a major producer during major events or visits of important of greenhouse gases but “is a continent dignitaries to the University and Green that suffers a lot” from the warming of the Energy Park, and it is in this context that planet. Mr. Terrab greeted Administrator Pruitt,” a On their way from Rabat to Marrakesh company statement said. the previous day — a several-hour trip by According to an OCP official, Pruitt van — Pruitt and his group had stopped in heard a presentation about the univer- the town of Ben Guerir to visit the Green sity’s role in creating sustainable energy Energy Park. The space is an incuba- and development for Morocco and the tor for solar power and other renewable rest of Africa. This official said the com- energy technologies founded by IRESEN, pany’s commercial interests were not part a Moroccan public research center, the of the presentation, though one individual energy ministry and OCP, the industrial familiar with the session said OCP officials giant that mines, refines and exports phos- spoke extensively about its role as a phos- phates used in fertilizers all over the world. phate producer and exporter. Badr Ikken, who runs the park and Pruitt’s trip barely registered in the led Pruitt’s tour, said it lasted a little more local media in Morocco and went virtu- than an hour and that Pruitt seemed fully ally unmentioned by the state-run media engaged in issues from electric cars to agency, perhaps because the EPA gave no new energy-storage technologies. Ikken notice he was coming — a typical practice said that he discussed Morocco’s efforts to since he took office. improve natural gas production as part of By midmorning on Dec. 13, Pruitt and his presentation but that Pruitt didn’t raise his entourage boarded a plane in Mar- the U.S. gas industry. rakesh for the flight home, connecting in “I had a real positive feeling about Amsterdam and New York, according to him,” Ikken said. “Maybe he was impressed his public schedule. by what we are doing.” It was after 10:30 p.m. when Pruitt Pruitt and his aides also visited the finally arrived back in Washington. Twelve adjacent Mohammed VI Polytechnic Uni- hours later, he was due at the White House versity, a research institution that was to participate in a press roundtable touting opened by King Mohammed VI last year President Trump’s accomplishments for and is largely supported by OCP and, the year. like the Green Energy Park, built on land [email protected] owned by the company. There, Pruitt met [email protected] with chief executive Mostafa Terrab. Again, [email protected] Smotkin was there, according to two peo- ple familiar with the meeting. Alice Crites contributed to this report. Eilperin and Dennis reported from Washington. “OCP is often invited to be present ABCDE Prices may vary in areas outside metropolitan Washington. SU V1 V2 V3 V4

Mostly sunny 88/67 • Tomorrow: Mostly sunny 90/70 B8 Democracy Dies in Darkness WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018 . $2 Police Mueller allowed warned to fire at vehicles of order to testify Rules loosened in D.C., elsewhere in response to ramming attacks TRUMP TEAM ASSAILS IDEA OF SUBPOENA

BY PETER HERMANN Sparring over interview led to list of questions Two decades ago, amid a grow- ing controversy over police shoot- ings in the nation’s capital, offi- BY CAROL D. LEONNIG cers in the District were largely AND ROBERT COSTA barred from firing at moving cars. In a tense meeting in early The rules didn’t apply if some- March with special counsel Rob- one in the car was firing at police, ert S. Mueller III, President but officials concluded that in Trump’s lawyers insisted he had most cases, the practice was dan- no obligation to talk with federal gerous and ineffective. Bystand- investigators probing Russia’s in- ers could be hit, and shooting at a terference in the 2016 presidential car usually didn’t stop it anyway. campaign. Other departments nationwide CAROLYN VAN HOUTEN/THE WASHINGTON POST But Mueller responded that he adopted similar policies. had another option if Trump de- Now, however, several major clined: He could issue a subpoena cities are loosening those rules to for the president to appear before deal with a new threat: terrorists A symbolic battle at the border a grand jury, according to four in trucks mowing down and kill- people familiar with the encoun- ing pedestrians. Police in Wash- ter. ington, New York City, Chicago BY KEVIN SIEFF Muhammadu Buhari, noting Mueller’s warning — the first and Las Vegas have begun allow- AND SEUNG MIN KIM Despite Trump caravan threats, U.S. has little that he has been watching the time he is known to have men- ing officers to fire at moving choice but to let in migrants seeking asylum caravan “for weeks” as it trav- tioned a possible subpoena to vehicles to stop such ramming mexico city — For weeks, Pres- eled north. “We don’t have bor- Trump’s legal team — spurred a attacks. While concern about the ident Trump has expressed ders, we don’t have a country.” sharp retort from John Dowd, tactic remains, authorities say alarm about a caravan of Central Elmer Zelaya Gomez and Evelyn Vega, from El Salvador, wait That show of force belies the then the president’s lead lawyer. that, in extreme instances, trying American migrants heading for Tuesday with their daughter Nayely, 7, in Tijuana, Mexico. reality: In one sense, the Trump “This isn’t some game,” Dowd to shoot the driver might be the the United States and vowed to administration’s hands are said, according to two people with only way to save lives. keep them out. But on Tuesday, largely tied when it comes to knowledge of his comments. “You “We have to balance the threat U.S. officials allowed small Guard, threatening Mexico if it migrants’ journey to repeatedly these migrants. are screwing with the work of the to the community with the idea groups of the asylum seekers did not stop the migrants and project a show of force, an- Despite Trump’s demands, re- president of the United States.” we don’t want to use fatal force across the border, bowing to U.S. warning that the participants, nouncing that he would deploy layed to Homeland Security Sec- The flare-up set in motion unless we absolutely have to,” and international law regarding mostly women and children, National Guard troops to the retary Kirstjen Nielsen, to “not weeks of turmoil among Trump’s said D.C. Police Chief Peter New- such cases. represented a threat to national Mexican border and invoking let these large Caravans” into attorneys as they debated how to sham. “It’s really important to By Tuesday evening, 25 of the security. the caravan to call for tougher the United States, federal law deal with the special counsel’s re- make sure officers completely 150 migrants had been escorted In the end, though, it was not immigration policies, such as and international treaties man- quest for an interview, a dispute understand this is a special cir- to San Diego to begin the process clear that the episode would be a constructing a border wall, that date that the administration TRUMP CONTINUED ON A4 cumstance, a last resort, but one of applying for asylum. Their setback for a president who have so far eluded him. consider the requests of asylum that may be necessary.” arrival appeared to be a blow to turns his frustration into punc- “We are a nation of laws. We CARAVAN CONTINUED ON A9 Court filing: Paul Manafort says The move to broaden the cir- Trump’s efforts to block the cara- tuation in his fight against ille- have to have borders,” Trump U.S. officials leaked falsehoods. A2 cumstances under which officers van — a campaign that has in- gal immigration. said at a news conference this DACA: Seven states sue in effort are authorized to use deadly force volved calling out the National The president has used the week with Nigerian President to end the program. A3 Standing firm: Rod J. Rosenstein POLICE CONTINUED ON A11 says Justice won’t be extorted. A4

SYRIA: REFLECTIONS FROM A SHATTERED LAND Lobbyist helped set up costly Pruitt trip

A6 EZ SU THE WASHINGTON POST . WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018 Love amid the revolt Information obtained by The Washington Post shows the visit’s Longtime friend of EPA cost exceeded $100,000, more The fight for freedom took him from her. Would she ever see him again? chief would later net than twice what has been previ- ously reported — including BY LOUISA LOVELUCK AND SUZAN HAIDAMOUS a contract with Morocco $16,217 for Pruitt’s Delta Air IN BEIRUT Lines fare and $494 for him to Lobbyist’s role in Pruitt’s Morocco trip raises ethics issues spend one night at a luxury hotel he cellphone rang at noon. BY KEVIN SULLIVAN, in Paris. He was accompanied by Marwa knew it was the call she had longed JULIET EILPERIN eight staffers and his round-the- MOROCCO FROM A1 T for through three long years of silence, but AND BRADY DENNIS clock security detail. when a young man’s voice faltered down the line, she Smotkin’s role in arranging the the journey have stayed secret, was no longer sure of what she wanted to hear. marrakesh, morocco — A whirlwind visit raises many ques- particularly the highly unusual She felt the heat on her skin as the sunlight of early controversial trip to Morocco by tions. Federal laws prohibit pub- role of Smotkin. These previously spring pierced the lace curtains. Environmental Protection Agen- lic officials from using govern- unreported details underscore The uprising back home in Syria had put her family cy chief Scott Pruitt last Decem- ANDREW HARNIK/ASSOCIATED PRESS ment resources to financially lawmakers’ questions about on a collision course with tragedy from day one. ber was partly arranged by a Environmental Protection benefit friends, relatives or other whether the trip was in keeping Marwa had not chosen her husband’s sacrifices, but longtime friend and lobbyist, Agency chief Scott Pruitt’s people with whom they have with Pruitt’s role as the nation’s her life had been overtaken by them. She was tired, who accompanied Pruitt and his Morocco trip cost more than personal connections. top environmental official. lonely, sometimes angry. She wanted a sign that he entourage at multiple stops and $100,000, documents show. Smotkin did not return calls The EPA has insisted that the still remembered, that he was sorry for how he’d left served as an informal liaison at and emails seeking comment trip was a legitimate effort to nail her. She wanted him back. both official and social events mote the kingdom’s cultural and about his role in the trip or his down details of a bilateral trade So she asked the caller to tell her everything, and as during the visit. economic interests. He recently relationship with Pruitt. agreement, and the agency said she closed her eyes and listened, time seemed to freeze. Richard Smotkin, a former registered as a foreign agent rep- Pruitt faces inquiries about his Monday that Pruitt was unaware l l l Comcast lobbyist who has known resenting that government. spending, ethics and manage- of the depth of Smotkin’s busi- Theirs was a love story. She was the bold one, 18 the EPA administrator for years, The four-day journey has ment decisions, including his ness relationship with the Mo- years old and happy to be done with school. Omar was worked for months with Pruitt’s drawn scrutiny from lawmakers first-class travels and a $50-a- roccan government. older and more solemn, but his smile was infectious. aides to hammer out logistics, and the EPA’s inspector general, night condo rental from a Wash- Ethics experts note that it is “It crossed his face so fast that you couldn’t help according to four people familiar who is investigating its high costs ington lobbyist. The Morocco trip highly unusual for someone out- smiling, too,” Marwa remembered. with those preparations. In April, and whether it adhered to the has drawn special attention for side the U.S. government to help She had pretended to ignore his glances on the Smotkin won a $40,000-a-month agency’s mission to “protect hu- its expense and purpose. arrange such travel details for the LOVE CONTINUED ON A20 contract, retroactive to Jan. 1, with man health and the environ- For months, many aspects of head of a federal agency. Larry GREG BETZA FOR THE WASHINGTON POST the Moroccan government to pro- ment.” MOROCCO CONTINUED ON A6 Noble, senior director and gener- al counsel at the Campaign Legal Center, said Tuesday that the lobbyist’s involvement raises is- sues about whether Pruitt went THE ECONOMY Mayor Muriel E. Bowser to Morocco partly to bolster IN THE NEWS Blue-collar industries resigned after organiz­ Inside Smotkin’s standing within the such as railroads, con­ ing a rally where a THE NATION opioid manufacturers kingdom. struction and security speaker made anti­Se­ FOOD “It shows, at the very least, a Criminal convictions, and distributors. A7 are offering hiring bo­ mitic comments about a Taste, if not a kick tremendous amount of sloppi- once seen as career­ The Trump administra­ nuses in a tight labor D.C. lawmaker. B1 Craft brewers are coming ness, and it raises ethical issues enders in the GOP, no tion is ignoring an order market. A12 District shops focusing up with alcohol-free about the relationship between longer necessarily taint requiring the White Facebook announced a on books by and for peo­ beers worth drinking. E1 Smotkin and Pruitt,” Noble said. candidates. A2 House to report on the new dating app, along ple of color are among “If Pruitt did this to benefit Illnesses from mosqui­ number of civilians killed with a tool that lets us­ those finding an indus­ STYLE Smotkin and did this to show to, tick and flea bites by drone strikes. A10 ers delete information try niche. B1 Stop the presses that Smotkin has an in with the more than tripled in the the company collected An FBI agent was THE WORLD One bombshell after EPA administrator, then he’s us- United States from about them. A13 reaching for his cell­ ing his official office to benefit a India’s prime minister another: It’s too much for 2004 to 2016, according California and 17 other phone while driving, private person.” tweeted that every vil­ some news junkies. C1 to a report. A5 states sued the EPA to de­ setting off a chain of Even as some elements of the lage in the country has MARVIN JOSEPH/THE WASHINGTON POST The solicitor general fend clean­car rules. A16 crashes that killed him trip remain unclear, EPA officials electricity, but total told the Supreme Court IPhone X sales rose and another man, inves­ confirmed that Smotkin bro- electrification is far Stepping down Embattled Prince George’s he misstated the date of 3 percent, compared tigators found. B1 BUSINESS NEWS...... A12 kered Pruitt’s initial meeting from complete. A10 a 2017 interview in with the same time in COMICS...... C7 with Morocco’s ambassador in County schools chief Kevin Maxwell will leave Armenia’s parliament OPINION PAGES...... A17 which President Trump 2017, and Apple posted OBITUARIES Washington, when she extended his job after the end of the school year. B1 voted against naming as LOTTERIES...... B3 DAILY CODE, DETAILS, B2 said his travel ban was a record profit, the com­ Korean-born martial OBITUARIES...... B6 an invitation to travel to her prime minister the op­ TELEVISION...... C5 1 8 7 7 not a Muslim ban. A7 A16 artist Jhoon Rhee country. Smotkin also accompa- Misleading packaging Regulators warned pany said. WORLD NEWS...... A8 Attorney General Jeff position figure who led helped popularize tae­ nied Pruitt at multiple stops 13 firms that their containers for e-cigarette Sessions is taking an in­ weeks of pro­democracy THE REGION kwondo in the United during his visit, the EPA and CONTENT © 2018 creasingly hard line with protests. A10 An appointee of D.C. States. B6 1 others confirmed. liquids could endanger children. A3 The Washington Post / Year 141, No. 148 Unlike most Cabinet-level travel, for which the agenda and policy outcomes are finalized as well as interviews with govern- That brief “meet and greet” at those sessions. weeks in advance, Pruitt’s office ment officials and members of EPA headquarters pales in com- Pruitt’s public schedule lists changed the schedule even while the private sector in both coun- parison with Pruitt’s trip to Mo- back-to-back appointments on he was there, according to several tries. Most spoke on the condi- rocco, notable in part for his the morning of Dec. 12 with people familiar with the visit. tion of anonymity because of the costly premium-class airfare. Mounia Boucetta, a top official in Though the EPA chief did visit a questions being raised. The actual journey was beset the foreign ministry; Aziz Rab- solar power research installation, Multiple administration offi- by logistical problems. His entou- bah, the minister of energy, he canceled a public appearance cials say Pruitt had raised the rage’s flight from Dulles Interna- mines and sustainable develop- with an energy efficiency expert prospect of going to Morocco tional Airport was plagued by ment; and Justice Minister Mo- at an international conference in well before he received a formal weather delays, prompting him, hamed Aujjar. Marrakesh and instead met with invitation from its ambassador to his aides and security agents to Reached on his cellphone, Auj- the chairman of a large phos- the United States, Princess Lalla miss their connecting flight and jar was asked about his meeting phate exporter. Joumala Alaoui, during a meet- stay overnight in Paris. with Pruitt. He said “Who?” three Smotkin attended both the ing at EPA headquarters in late Pruitt’s late arrival in Rabat times, then referred questions to visit to the Green Energy Park October — a meeting EPA spokes- caused him to miss a scheduled his spokeswoman, who did not and the meeting with the phos- man Jahan Wilcox acknowledged U.S. Embassy briefing and round- answer repeated requests for phate executive. He also joined that Smotkin “assisted in arrang- table there. The administrator confirmation of the two men’s Pruitt for dinner on the EPA ing.” had a single meeting after arriv- meeting. chief’s final night in Marrakesh, Smotkin worked with two of ing on Dec. 11, according to his Boucetta and her spokesman the EPA confirmed. Pruitt’s top aides, senior counsel public schedule, with the chief did not respond to repeated re- The reasons behind the trip Sarah Greenwalt and then-depu- PHOTOS BY KEVIN SULLIVAN/THE WASHINGTON POST executive of the Moroccan Agen- quests for confirmation of her came up again last week in ty advance director Millan Hupp, The Sofitel Marrakesh Palais Imperial hotel, top, part of a French cy of Sustainable Energy. A meeting with Pruitt. Rabbah’s Washington when Rep. Chellie to line up specific aspects of the luxury chain, offers deluxe accommodations and perks such as spokesman for Mustapha Bakk- spokeswoman initially said he Pingree (D-Maine) grilled Pruitt agenda, according to four people champagne and strawberries, above, at its lunch buffet. oury said he was not available for would do an in-person interview, during the second of two conten- familiar with the process. Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt stayed in at an interview and did not reply to then a few hours later said he was tious House hearings. She For example, Smotkin dis- least two Sofitels during his trip to Morocco. a request that he confirm that the no longer available. pressed him on why the EPA cussed the prospect of Pruitt businessman met with Pruitt. One of only two Moroccan trumpeted the fact that part of speaking at the Atlantic Dia- weeks before Pruitt’s arrival that known Pruitt for roughly a dec- The EPA said in a statement officials to meet with Pruitt and his time was spent promoting the logues, a conference in Marrake- they would be soliciting bids in ade, she said. that Smotkin “did not attend or acknowledge that to The Post was benefits of U.S. liquefied natural sh underwritten by the OCP Pol- 2018. That imported gas could Documents released under the participate in any official meet- Said Mouline, chief executive of gas imports for Morocco’s econo- icy Center, the think-tank arm of help power a number of opera- Freedom of Information Act ref- ings with the Moroccan govern- the Moroccan Agency for Energy my. a major phosphate export firm in tions, including Morocco’s phos- erence repeated contact, includ- ment,” but people familiar with Efficiency. He said that officials “I can’t, for the life of me, Morocco. Pruitt later canceled his phate industry. ing texts, between the two men the visit said he was a near-con- at the OCP Policy Center asked imagine why an EPA administra- appearance. Asked about the visit, the Mo- during the early days of the stant presence there. According him to meet with Pruitt. Smotkin tor would be over there promot- Some of this scheduling activi- roccan Embassy in Washington Trump administration. Pruitt’s to two individuals, he communi- also was listed as a participant at ing energy sales,” Pingree said. ty took place before the meeting released a statement Monday: calendar also shows that they ate cated with Isam Taib, political the event. “There’s a free-trade agree- with Morocco’s ambassador, “All meetings during this work- together just days after he was counselor to the Moroccan Em- Mouline and Pruitt were origi- ment,” Pruitt replied. “The am- these people said. At the time, ing visit were organized through sworn into office. bassy in Washington. Taib not nally to have an onstage discus- bassador of Morocco actually Pruitt indicated he had been official diplomatic channels with Weeks after Pruitt’s confirma- only traveled back to his home sion at the event, but it was met with me in advance of a invited by Prince Moulay Rachid, the objective to explore ways and tion, Smotkin also orchestrated country for Pruitt’s arrival but canceled at the last minute for free-trade agreement that was the king’s brother. During the means to deepen and broaden for Pruitt to meet personally with also signed the official contract reasons Mouline said he did not being negotiated and being com- subsequent planning, people fa- our bilateral work.” former Canadian prime minister retaining Smotkin’s public rela- know. Instead, he said, the two pleted in February of this year. miliar with the discussions said, Separately, the EPA said in a Stephen Harper. In an exchange tions services. shared breakfast in Marrakesh We were there in December to Pruitt repeatedly expressed inter- statement that its “Office of In- first reported by HuffPost, Smot- Top Moroccan government of- just before Pruitt headed back to negotiate the environmental est in how the trip could help ternational and Tribal Affairs or- kin emailed one of the adminis- ficials were unwilling to discuss Washington on Dec. 13. chapter. ” advance American natural gas ganized and led the effort around trator’s schedulers to bring the their dealings with Pruitt. [email protected] The accord that Pruitt said was interests. Administrator Pruitt’s official two men together. On a visit last week to Rabat by [email protected] finalized in February actually Moroccan officials, who are meetings with the Moroccan gov- “Hi there. Been texting w the a Washington Post reporter, sev- [email protected] remains unfinished. It is slated to hoping to establish a terminal ernment.” boss,” Smotkin wrote to Sydney eral officials who met with him be done this month. that could ship imported lique- Comcast spokeswoman Sena Hupp. “What times would be best would not acknowledge doing so Alice Crites contributed to this This account of his Morocco fied natural gas to the country’s Fitzmaurice said that Smotkin on Monday to make this hap- — despite photos that the EPA report. Eilperin and Dennis reported visit is based on federal records, power plants, announced two left that position in July. He has pen?” itself published from some of from Washington. Amid mounting scrutiny, two o∞cials close to EPA administrator resign

BY JULIET EILPERIN, scrutiny for his role in Pruitt’s Kelly helmed a task force that into an agreement pertaining to a — particularly without additional outside consulting firm, Sequoia BRADY DENNIS security arrangements, which issued recommendations to loan” without FDIC approval. In funds — might lead to slipshod Security Group, a contract for a AND EMMA BROWN have been more extensive than speed up those efforts. the agreement, Kelly did not ad- work that could expose nearby $3,000 bug sweep of Pruitt’s of- those of previous EPA adminis- “Kell Kelly’s service at EPA will mit or deny wrongdoing. residents to toxins. fice a year ago. He also recom- Albert “Kell” Kelly, a top aide to trators. He initially had planned be sorely missed,” Pruitt wrote. In January, Kelly called the Yet many career officials, resi- mended last spring that Pruitt Environmental Protection Agen- to step down this summer but Kelly has been one of Pruitt’s FDIC settlement a “highly frus- dents living near Superfund sites receive a 24-hour, seven-day-a- cy chief Scott Pruitt who was accelerated his retirement, offi- key confidants in Washington, trating” experience. “Bottom line, and companies involved in the week protective detail, which has hired to revitalize the agency’s cials said. advising him on how to handle it ended up being a settlement of program came to view Kelly as a tripled the size of the team and cleanup of toxic sites, resigned The resignations come as mounting ethics inquiries. The a civil matter,” he told The Wash- competent administrator who so- cost taxpayers roughly $3 mil- Tuesday amid scrutiny of his pre- Pruitt faces multiple investiga- two are fellow Oklahomans and ington Post. licited input from all sides. Kelly lion. vious actions as the leader of a tions by the agency’s inspector old friends; the bank that Kelly Kelly did not respond to mes- traveled the country in an effort Perrotta is slated to meet with bank in Oklahoma and his life- general. He is under scrutiny for led, SpiritBank, loaned money to sages seeking comment Tuesday. to identify ways to speed clean- investigators at the House Over- time ban from banking. ethics and spending issues, in- Pruitt on several occasions, in- Two individuals briefed on his ups, some of which have lan- sight and Government Reform Kelly joined Pruitt at the EPA a cluding renting a D.C. condo from cluding for a home purchase and decision, speaking on the condi- guished for decades. He readily Committee on Wednesday, and year ago to head up a task force a lobbyist at a below-market rate, a stake in a minor-league baseball tion of anonymity to discuss a handed out his email and cell- Tuesday he told ABC News he said examining ways to improve and installing a costly soundproof team, according to media reports. personnel matter, said Kelly was phone number. he planned to fully cooperate. streamline the agency’s Super- phone booth and spending mil- There is no indication the tired of coming under criticism Perrotta, who was personally Perrotta did not respond to fund program. Around the same lions on his personal security. FDIC action against Kelly was for the FDIC ban and did not need selected by Pruitt to head the messages from The Post, which time, as part of a civil settlement, Pruitt praised Kelly and Perrot- related to the bank’s loans to the job. One noted that Pruitt did administrator’s detail, weighed in first reported last week that he the Federal Deposit Insurance ta in separate statements, saying Pruitt. A consent agreement Kelly not come out in strong defense of on matters beyond security, in- planned to retire early. “All of this Corporation fined him $125,000, that the latter had “selflessly signed in May 2017 offers few Kelly during his testimony before cluding on personnel and man- press is taking a toll on my and it later banned him from served the American people for details but refers to two compa- a House Energy and Commerce agement decisions, agency offi- family,” Perrotta told ABC News banking altogether. more than 23 years,” beginning as nies that borrowed from Spirit- subcommittee last week. cials said. He often traveled with on Tuesday. “I decided to move Kelly’s resignation was one of a special agent with the U.S. Bank, including one that was Many environmental advo- Pruitt overseas and domestically. on, and it’s been an honor to two high-profile EPA departures Secret Service. attempting to develop a commer- cates voiced skepticism of Kelly’s Lawmakers have been pressing serve.” Tuesday. The head of Pruitt’s per- Pruitt said Kelly had made a cial property near Tulsa. appointment to run the Super- the EPA to provide details on [email protected] sonal security detail, Pasquale “tremendous impact” on the The agreement, obtained by fund program given his lack of Perrotta’s role in several key [email protected] “Nino” Perrotta, also announced agency’s Superfund program, E&E News, says the FDIC had experience in public health. They spending decisions, including his [email protected] his retirement from the agency. which aims to clean up hundreds reason to believe Kelly “violated a also expressed concern that the push to get a member of the Perrotta faces congressional of the nation’s most toxic sites. law or regulation, by entering push to speed up Superfund work management team of Perrotta’s Alice Crites contributed to this report. ABCDE

Democracy Dies in Darkness FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018 Influential outsiders played a key role in Pruitt’s travel

by Juliet Eilperin he hoped to visit and urged aides to help and Brady Dennis him find official reasons to travel, accord- ing to four people familiar with the matter, Scott Pruitt’s itinerary for a Febru- who spoke on the condition of anonymity ary trip to Israel was remarkable by any to discuss internal agency deliberations. standard for an Environmental Protection Pruitt then enlisted well-connected friends Agency administrator: A stop at a contro- and political allies to help make the trips versial Jewish settlement in the West Bank. happen. An appearance at Tel Aviv University. A Longtime Pruitt friend Richard Smot- hard-to-get audience with Israeli Prime kin, for example, helped arrange Pruitt’s Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. four-day visit to Morocco in December. One force behind Pruitt’s eclectic Smotkin, who has not returned calls seeking agenda: casino magnate and Republican comment, later signed a $40,000-a-month megadonor Sheldon Adelson, a major lobbying contract with the Moroccan gov- supporter of Israel who arranged parts of ernment. Pruitt’s visit. American Australian Council trea- The Israel trip was canceled days surer Matthew Freedman, whose group’s before Pruitt’s planned departure, after members include ConocoPhillips, helped The Washington Post revealed his pen- line up a September trip to Australia, chant for first-class travel on the taxpay- where Pruitt was scheduled to promote ers’ dime. But federal documents obtained liquefied natural gas exports during a tour by The Post and interviews with individu- of the company’s natural gas facility. That als familiar with the trip reveal that it fit trip also was canceled. Freedman did not a pattern by Pruitt of planning foreign respond to calls seeking comment; the travel with significant help from outside council said it “authorized” Freedman to interests, including lobbyists, Republican “have discussions” with the EPA about the donors and conservative activists. trip. After taking office last year, Pruitt And in Israel, Pruitt was scheduled to drew up a list of at least a dozen countries unveil an agreement with Water-Gen, an FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 2

Influential outsiders have played key role in EPA administrator’s foreign travel

RICKY CARIOTI/THE WASHINGTON POST Scott Pruitt, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, testifies last month before a House Appropriations subcommittee on the interior, environment and related agencies. Pruitt’s travel program has come under scrutiny, with questions raised about the involvement of his associates in planning his travel and the relevance of some of the stops to his agency’s core mission

Israeli water purification company cham- anonymity for fear of retaliation. The EPA pioned by Adelson. Adelson does not have signed an agreement with the company in a financial stake in Water-Gen, accord- January; Pruitt had hoped to announce it ing to his aides and the company, but was while he was in Israel. Water-Gen is now impressed by its technology and had urged working with EPA technical staff in Cin- Pruitt to meet with Water-Gen executives cinnati to test its technology in hopes of soon after he took office. That meeting obtaining a federal contract to provide took place on March 29, 2017. drinking water in places where the water Within weeks, Pruitt instructed his supply has been contaminated. aides to find a way to procure Water-Gen’s On Thursday, Adelson’s top politi- technology, according to two administra- cal adviser, Andy Abboud, confirmed his tion officials who spoke on the condition of involvement in planning Pruitt’s Israel FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 3

agenda, but played down its significance, per month. Political and career officials at saying, “Many people consult” Adelson the EPA suggested a handful of other desti- before making the journey. nations, these people said, including China “In some cases, we will make an intro- and Germany. duction to various officials traveling to So far, Pruitt has traveled only to Italy Israel and Israeli staff officials,” Abboud and Morocco. He has canceled trips to said. Of the planned Pruitt trip, he said: “It Australia, Japan and Israel after extensive was very perfunctory, and I would describe advance work by EPA officials. them as simple introductions.” In Italy and Morocco, Pruitt granted In an email, EPA spokesman Jahan his friends unusual access to official events. Wilcox said agency officials in the Office of In Italy, for example, Pruitt met up in Rome International and Tribal Affairs “organized with Leonard Leo, executive vice president and led the effort around Administrator of the conservative Federalist Society. Pruitt’s” trip to Israel, as well as planned Leo, who is Catholic, personally journeys to Italy, Morocco, Mexico and arranged private events for Pruitt and Australia. Wilcox declined to answer ques- his aides, including a private tour of the tions about Adelson’s role, Water-Gen or Vatican Library and the Apostolic Pal- other travel-related matters. ace, according to a participant in the trip. Pruitt’s practice of involving outsid- When Pruitt left a private Vatican Mass for ers in his travels raises serious ethical a discussion of environmental policy with concerns, legal experts said; federal law Archbishop Paul Gallagher, he invited Leo prohibits public officials from using their to join the meeting, according to two par- office to enrich themselves or any private ticipants on the Italy trip. individual, or to offer endorsements. Leo declined Thursday to comment. Late Thursday, Democratic Sens. In Morocco, Smotkin joined Pruitt’s Thomas R. Carper (Del.) and Sheldon entourage on multiple stops, including a Whitehouse (R.I.) wrote to Pruitt seeking meeting with one of the kingdom’s most more information about the Israel trip, the prominent business leaders, according to agency’s agreement with Water-Gen and three individuals familiar with the trip. “the role Mr. Adelson or other non-govern- Legal experts said that it is highly mental officials played.” unusual for private citizens to participate Along with Israel and Australia, Pruitt’s in official meetings when Cabinet mem- wish list for global travel included Saudi bers travel overseas, and that such invita- Arabia, Colombia, Panama, Poland, Japan, tions could be construed as tacit endorse- India and Canada, former staff members ments of a group’s agenda. Federal ethics said, adding that Pruitt asked staffers to rules prohibit public officials from endors- schedule the trips at a pace of roughly one ing “any product, service or enterprise,” FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 4

said Don Fox, a former acting director of Pruitt’s office about a week later. During the the Office of Government Ethics. meeting, Kaploun said, Pruitt asked com- “This is the problem with Pruitt,” said pany executives to meet with EPA water Virginia Canter, executive branch eth- experts, inquired how quickly they could ics counsel for the nonprofit Citizens for scale up and wanted to know whether they Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. intended to manufacture in the United “He’s basically acting as a lobbyist for all of States. his friends.” “The administrator’s goal, which he From his first days at the EPA, Pruitt stated at the meeting, is that this can help made clear to top aides that Israel was people. It can give people clean air and high on his agenda. Pruitt had met Adel- water,” Kaploun said, adding that Pruitt son while serving as Oklahoma attorney mentioned the Flint, Mich., drinking- general, and he agreed when Adelson water crisis as one potential use. suggested he meet with executives from Pasik had a follow-up meeting with Water-Gen. Pruitt in May, according to Pruitt’s cal- Yehuda Kaploun, president of Water- endar, and a few months later, the EPA Gen USA, said Thursday that Adelson announced that it was seeking up to four became an enthusiastic backer after learn- private-sector partners “for a Cooperative ing about the company’s innovative method Research and Development Agreement of drawing potable water from moisture in to investigate the potential use of atmo- the air. spheric water generators.” While Adelson had no investments or Such agreements often involve mul- other financial involvement in the com- tiple firms. In this case, the EPA has so far pany, Kaploun said, he asked executives cemented an agreement only with Water- “whether we’d be prepared to meet with Gen, in January. It was scheduled to be EPA.” unveiled in February, during Pruitt’s trip to On March 29, 2017, Kaploun and the Israel. parent company’s executive chairman, Many of the planned stops on that trip Maxim Pasik, met with Pruitt in his office were the sort any EPA administrator would in Washington. The entry in Pruitt’s official undertake, according to Pruitt’s itinerary. calendar, released under a public records For example, he was scheduled to meet request, includes a note that reads: “This with ministers of environmental protec- came as a request of Sheldon Adelson.” tion and energy, visit a wastewater facility Water-Gen executives brought along in Jerusalem and stop at one of the world’s one of the company’s “home and office” largest desalination plants. units, which can produce three to five gal- Other proposed stops were less clearly lons of water a day, and removed it from related to his mission, such as excursions FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 5

to the City of David and the Galilee region, “Our technology is so advanced that where Jesus once preached. Just before no one else is in the same realm,” he said, Pruitt was scheduled to depart, an Adelson adding that Water-Gen had shouldered associate met Pruitt aides Millan Hupp the cost of delivering one of its units to the and Sarah Greenwalt in Israel to hammer EPA lab. out details of some of those events, accord- Kaploun and Water-Gen’s U.S. CEO, ing to a person familiar with those meet- Edward Russo — a former environmental ings. consultant to Donald Trump who authored Although the trip was canceled, EPA a book titled “Donald J. Trump: An Envi- testing of Water-Gen’s technology contin- ronmental Hero” — visited the president’s ues. Federal officials said a second com- Mar-a-Lago estate in March. They briefed pany, AquaSciences, could soon be added Trump about the technology, and the pres- to the agreement. ident invited them to the Oval Office for a Kaploun said that Water-Gen “fol- demonstration, Kaploun said. lowed total protocol” in seeking EPA [email protected] approval and that as far as he knew, no [email protected] other firms had initially applied. Josh Dawsey contributed to this report All even: Penguins beat Caps, 3-1, knot series at two games apiece. D1 ABCDE Prices may vary in areas outside metropolitan Washington. SU V1 V2 V3 V4

Partly sunny 90/66 • Tomorrow: Showers 75/60 B8 Democracy Dies in Darkness FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018 . $2 Giuliani story of payo≠ may fuel prosecutors’ case

ACCOUNT CLASHED Surprise legal WITH PRESIDENT’S strategy stuns Experts see danger in White House campaign finance issues o∞cials

BY MATT ZAPOTOSKY, BY PHILIP RUCKER, DEVLIN BARRETT, JOSH DAWSEY, CAROL D. LEONNIG ROBERT COSTA AND MICHELLE YE HEE LEE AND ASHLEY PARKER

Rudolph W. Giuliani’s media He may have had a strategy, blitz to convince the public that but Rudolph W. Giuliani hatched CAROLYN VAN HOUTEN/THE WASHINGTON POST EMILY BERL FOR THE WASHINGTON POST SASHA ARUTYUNOVA FOR THE WASHINGTON POST neither Donald Trump nor his it almost entirely in secret. Sophie Gayter, left, said Charlie Rose groped her in 2013 when she was a “60 Minutes” staffer. Beth Homan-Ross, center, and Brooks lawyer had violated the law by The White House counsel had Harris worked for programs that Rose worked on in the 1980s and 2017, respectively, and said the newsman made sexual comments. paying a porn star to keep quiet no idea. Neither did the White about an alleged affair might have House chief of staff, nor the backfired, giving investigators White House press secretary, nor new leads to chase and new evi- the new White House lawyer dence of potential crimes, legal overseeing its handling of the CBS managers were told about Rose analysts said. Russia investigation. Giuliani made statements that They watched, agog, as Giu- speak to Trump and lawyer Mi- liani, the president’s recently in- 27 additional women, 14 of them at the network, say the veteran newsman sexually harassed them chael Cohen’s intent — an impor- stalled personal attorney, free- tant aspect of some crimes — and styled on live television Wednes- BY AMY BRITTAIN as 1986 and as recently as April 2017, when The Post’s investigation is based on inter- he made assertions that investiga- day night about the president’s AND IRIN CARMON Rose was co-anchor of “CBS This Morning,” views over a five-month period with 107 tors can now check against what legal troubles and unveiled an according to multiple people with firsthand current and former CBS News employees as they have already learned from explosive new fact: that Trump Incidents of sexual misconduct by Charlie knowledge of the conversations. well as two dozen others who worked with documents and witnesses, legal reimbursed his longtime person- Rose were far more numerous than pre- Rose’s response to the new allegations Rose at other television programs. analysts said. His comments to al attorney Michael Cohen for the viously known, according to a new in- was delivered in a one-sentence email: Many of those interviewed for this article media outlets underscore a grow- $130,000 paid to adult-film ac- vestigation by The Washington Post, which “Your story is unfair and inaccurate.” spoke on the condition of anonymity be- GIULIANI CONTINUED ON A7 TRUMP CONTINUED ON A6 also found three occasions over a period The new allegations follow an earlier Post cause they feared retaliation. The Post of 30 years in which CBS managers were report on Rose’s behavior at his namesake corroborated specific accounts with wit- warned of his conduct toward women at PBS program, in which eight women ac- nesses or people in whom they confided. the network. cused the TV star of making lewd phone The new allegations against Rose date to THE TAKE An additional 27 women — 14 CBS News calls, walking around naked in their pres- 1976, when, according to a former research employees and 13 who worked with him ence, or groping their breasts, buttocks or assistant, he exposed his penis and touched elsewhere — said Rose sexually harassed genital areas. Rose issued an apology. His her breasts in the NBC News Washington Again, Trump is caught in them. Concerns about Rose’s behavior were PBS show was canceled, and he was fired bureau where they worked. flagged to managers at the network as early from CBS News. CBS CONTINUED ON A15 a lie. Will it change anything?

BY DAN BALZ The questions won’t go away. They are part of the fabric of this Does it bother anyone that presidency. President Trump has been Thanks to Rudolph W. Giu- Across U.S., caught lying? Does it bother any- liani, a former New York mayor one that this is not new? Does it and current member of the presi- bother anyone that the president dent’s legal team, Trump has Republicans’ has been shown to be a liar? been exposed flat out about the These questions are again $130,000 in hush money that his A4 EZ SU THE WASHINGTON POST . FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018 e≠orts to arm front and center before the coun- attorney Michael Cohen paid to try. People will answer them dif- adult-film actress Stephanie Clif- ferently, depending on their ford (a.k.a. Stormy Daniels) to teachers stall views about Trump. Some will cover up an affair that the presi- condemn the behavior. Some will dent denies having with her. BY JOE HEIM condone it. Many, no doubt, will In a remarkable exchange Ariz. teachers end walkout after getting promise of raises, increased funding try to look away, even if that has with Sean Hannity of Fox News In the two months after the become more and more difficult. TAKE CONTINUED ON A6 The state is giving teachers a that have experienced school clo- ing since the recession, when 2016, Arizona ranked 43rd in the past decade, which would Florida school shooting that left 20 percent raise by 2020 and sures this year because of teacher states were forced to cut budgets average teacher salaries, accord- have cost more than $1 billion. 17 dead, Republican legislators Legislators worked all investing an additional $138 mil- walkouts, starting in West Vir- across the board. Arizona did ing to a study by the National In a joint statement, Arizona across the country introduced night to pass budget that lion in schools, an outcome that ginia, where teachers shut down little to restore funding to schools Education Association, the larg- Education Association President 25 measures to arm teachers and partially met demands only partially meets educators’ schools statewide for nine days after the economy recovered; in est teachers union. Teacher short- Joe Thomas and National Educa- staff members in schools. Influential outsiders played demands. before winning a raise. fact, the state enacted a corporate ages have led the state to waive tion Association President Lily Despite support and encour- The end of the walkout, which As in other states, the move- tax cut that continued to deplete education requirements for Eskelsen García said the walkout agement for such laws from Presi- a key role in Pruitt’s travel shut down schools for hundreds ment in Arizona arose organical- revenue. teaching candidates. In some cas- was the beginning of a movement dent Trump and the National Ri- BY MORIAH BALINGIT of thousands of students, comes ly, with teachers coordinating When adjusted for inflation, es, even people without college to press the state to restore budg- fle Association, just one of those after a dramatic week that was through Twitter hashtags and Arizona cut total state per-pupil degrees can serve as substitutes. et cuts. efforts has succeeded, and there BY JULIET EILPERIN Republican megadonor Sheldon Thousands of Arizona teachers capped when lawmakers worked Facebook pages. The group’s funding by 37 percent between The spending plan does not “We will return to our schools, are few indications the others will AND BRADY DENNIS Adelson, a major supporter of who walked out of schools a week through the night while teachers leaders urged their colleagues 2008 and 2015, more than any fulfill all the demands of the classrooms, and students know- be enacted. Israel who arranged parts of ago to protest low pay and slump- kept vigil. The legislators passed across the state to wear red T- other state, according to the left- protesting teachers, but they ing that we have achieved some- Trump and the NRA called on Scott Pruitt’s itinerary for a Pruitt’s visit. ing education funding are slated the budget at 5:30 a.m. Thursday, shirts in a demonstration they leaning Center on Budget and made good on a pledge to end the thing truly historic,” they said. states to arm teachers as a front- February trip to Israel was re- The Israel trip was canceled to head back to class Friday, after 13 hours of debate, the Ari- called “Wear #RedforEd,” giving Policy Priorities. That has led to walkout when lawmakers passed “We should take pride in what we line defense against school shoot- markable by any standard for an days before Pruitt’s planned de- marking an end to one of the zona Republic reported. Gov. the movement its name: #Red- relatively low teacher salaries, a budget. Teachers had called for have accomplished, and in the ers days after the Feb. 14 attack at SALWAN GEORGES/THE WASHINGTON POST Environmental Protection Agen- parture, after The Washington biggest teacher protests in a year Doug Ducey (R) signed the budg- forEd. crumbling school buildings and an immediate 20 percent raise. movement that we have created Marjory Stoneman Douglas High. cy administrator: A stop at a con- Post revealed his penchant for that has seen a spate of job et at 6:10 a.m. Arizona’s schools have lost a the elimination of free full-day They also wanted the state to together.” Since then, Republicans have A portrait of their lives troversial Jewish settlement in first-class travel on the taxpayers’ actions. Arizona is one of five states significant amount of state fund- kindergarten in some districts. In fully restore funding cuts made in [email protected] led the campaign for the mea- Ali Abdul Almuna smells the rose he gave his wife, Anwar Chaiwan, during their wedding the West Bank. An appearance at dime. But federal documents ob- sures in 14 states that would give Tel Aviv University. A hard-to-get tained by The Post and interviews anniversary dinner in February 2017. The couple, Iraqi immigrants, and their three sons teachers and staff members ac- audience with Israeli Prime Min- PRUITT CONTINUED ON A4 cess to guns in schools or expand shared their daily lives in Michigan with a Washington Post photographer for a year. A10 ister Benjamin Netanyahu. their ability to do so, according to One force behind Pruitt’s eclec- VA in turmoil: Staff exits highlight GUNS CONTINUED ON A11 tic agenda: casino magnate and tension over proposed changes. A2 Ryan lets House chaplain keep job after priest rescinds his resignation

ing and spiritual position in the Catholics in the House, when word roy delivered a prayer that some his original decision. “Speaker resign May 24, believes there was Allegations that he had partisan chamber. spread that he had forced the priest took as siding with Democrats. Ryan’s decision to accept Father no just cause for him to be ousted Female CEOs are stub­ Thousands of Mont­ Ryan defended his original deci- into retirement. “May their efforts these days guar- Conroy’s decision to rescind his res- from the position. IN THE NEWS bornly rare because gomery County families Inside been forced to retire sion and continued to question Congress is away on a one-week antee that there are not winners ignation and finish his term is wel- “I have never been disciplined, women also aren’t filling were told in a letter that outraged lawmakers whether Conroy was delivering suf- break, and some GOP advisers and losers under new tax laws, but come news. However, many dis- nor reprimanded, nor have I ever THE NATION meeting with Kim Jong steppingstone positions, their third­graders were ficient “pastoral services” to the en- hoped the issue would die down benefits balanced and shared by tressing questions must still be an- heard a complaint about my minis- WEEKEND tire House. “I intend to sit down amid the flurry of other news. But all,” Conroy said. swered about the motivations be- try during my time as House chap- Missouri legislators Un, is looking for ways a Pew study found. A13 on the waiting list for The burger court with Father Conroy early next week then Conroy issued a two-page let- In the interview with National hind Father Conroy’s unwarranted lain,” Conroy wrote Thursday. will hold a special ses­ to help North Korea With Netflix and Mc­ gifted programs. The sion to consider im­ economically without The Whopper, the Big Mac BY PAUL KANE so that we can move forward for the ter early Thursday accusing Ryan’s Journal in January, Conroy ques- and unjust dismissal,” she said in a In previous statements, Ryan de- Donald’s soaring despite letter was wrong. B1 good of the whole House,” he said. chief of staff, Jonathan Burks, of tioned whether Congress was rush- statement. nied that the Jesuit priest’s political peaching Gov. Eric violating sanctions and Dave’s Single, all steeper prices, Amazon’s George Washington House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R- The decision capped a highly un- anti-Catholic bias. ing to judgment in pushing some Conroy is just the second Catho- views played any role in the ouster Greitens (R). A7 against Pyongyang. A8 rated by the $20 Diner. Prime hike will test University has long Wis.) reversed course Thursday and usual dispute between the Catholic Conroy spelled out in the most lawmakers out of office who were lic priest to serve as chaplain, but and said he had heard numerous A New York judge sid­ Afghanistan’s wildly whether consumers will been known as the STYLE agreed to keep the Rev. Patrick J. speaker, who announced last detail yet his April 13 confrontation accused of sexual misconduct. those two priests have held the po- complaints about Conroy’s lack of ed with residents of a popular take on SNL is spend even more. A14 home of the Colonials. Enduring Grace Conroy on as House chaplain after month that he would retire, and a with Burks that set the stage for his In a statement from Ryan’s office sition since 2000. Conroy wrote interaction with lawmakers. He re- condo tower who hope bringing comic relief to Some students want resignation days later. Thursday, Burks took issue with that he initially believed Ryan had iterated that position in his state- THE REGION Model, pop star, actor: an extraordinary showdown that Jesuit priest who has spent seven to remove the words war­weary viewers. A9 that to change. B3 included the priest alleging anti- years serving as the spiritual advis- The priest asked why he was Conroy’s version of events. the power to fire him when he had ment Thursday. A toddler left alone for Grace Jones is nearing “Trump Place” from the Cambridge Analytica Maryland wildlife offi­ Catholic bias by Ryan’s chief of staff. er to 435 lawmakers and thousands being forced out. “Maybe it’s time “I strongly disagree with Father the clash with Burks, so he submit- “To be clear, that decision was hours in a vehicle in 70 and still fearless. C1 building. A13 may be gone. But its cials kept a close eye on Conroy, who was forced to step of congressional staffers. that we had a chaplain that wasn’t a Conroy’s recollection of our conver- ted his first resignation letter based on my duty to ensure that the Suitland, Md., on a hot NASA/ASSOCIATED PRESS The Bureau of Land practices and strategies a young black bear near down by Ryan last month, sent the Just a week ago, Conroy’s ouster Catholic,” Burks said, according to sation. I am disappointed by the April 15. House has the kind of pastoral ser- Management blocked will live on. A12 day was found by police, a busy road in Frederick speaker a letter rescinding his res- had threatened to spark a political Conroy’s account. misunderstanding, but wish him Conroy, who said he is under the vices that it deserves,” Ryan said. unharmed. Her father Studying Marsquakes The NASA spacecraft 14 archaeologists and but said it appeared to BUSINESS NEWS...... A12 ignation and vowing to remain un- and theological firestorm. Most Conroy says Burks also brought the best as he continues to serve the “advice of counsel,” questioned Conroy’s term lasts through the THE ECONOMY InSight is set to travel to the Red Planet to other specialists from was charged. B1 just be “chilling.” B4 COMICS...... C5 til the end of the year. Within hours lawmakers thought Conroy’s origi- up an opening prayer the priest House,” Burks said in the state- whether Ryan has that power be- end of this year. It will be up to the Privacy watchdogs say A long legal dispute be­ OPINION PAGES...... A17 attending a major scien­ Three D.C. high school LOTTERIES...... B3 Ryan had backed down, ending the nal resignation, announced in mid- delivered in November and an in- ment. cause his position is an office of the leaders of the next Congress to de- explore what goes on beneath its surface. A3 Facebook’s dating serv­ DAILY CODE, DETAILS, B2 tific conference. A16 tween an evicted owner students will be award­ OBITUARIES...... B6 possibility of what the speaker April, was voluntary, but Ryan terview with National Journal in House Minority Leader Nancy House, voted upon for a two-year cide whether to keep Conroy or ice could expose users to TELEVISION...... C4 2 0 6 6 and the Watergate ed $4,000 after they feared would be a “protracted fight” faced a bipartisan backlash, partic- January. Pelosi (D-Calif.) suggested she still term at the start of each Congress. consider a new chaplain. Laser threats The Pentagon accuses China of THE WORLD scams, malicious WORLD NEWS...... A8 South offers a glimpse were the victims of on­ over what is supposed to be a unify- ularly among the more than 140 During the tax-cut debate, Con- wanted answers from Ryan about The chaplain, who had intended to [email protected] South Korean Presi­ strangers and other directing the blinding beams at American inside the idiosyncratic line racism in a NASA dent Moon Jae­in, after problems. A12 life of a cooperative. B1 CONTENT © 2018 1 military aircraft in Djibouti. A3 science competition. B4 The Washington Post / Year 141, No. 150 Influential outsiders have played key role in EPA administrator’s foreign travel

PRUITT FROM A1 meet with EPA water experts, in- quired how quickly they could with individuals familiar with the scale up and wanted to know trip reveal that it fit a pattern by whether they intended to manu- Pruitt of planning foreign travel facture in the United States. with significant help from outside “The administrator’s goal, interests, including lobbyists, Re- which he stated at the meeting, is publican donors and conservative that this can help people. It can activists. give people clean air and water,” After taking office last year, Kaploun said, adding that Pruitt Pruitt drew up a list of at least a mentioned the Flint, Mich., drink- dozen countries he hoped to visit ing-water crisis as one potential and urged aides to help him find use. official reasons to travel, accord- Pasik had a follow-up meeting ing to four people familiar with with Pruitt in May, according to the matter, who spoke on the Pruitt’s calendar, and a few condition of anonymity to discuss months later, the EPA announced internal agency deliberations. that it was seeking up to four Pruitt then enlisted well-connect- private-sector partners “for a Co- ed friends and political allies to operative Research and Develop- help make the trips happen. ment Agreement to investigate Longtime Pruitt friend Richard the potential use of atmospheric Smotkin, for example, helped ar- water generators.” range Pruitt’s four-day visit to Mo- Such agreements often involve rocco in December. Smotkin, who multiple firms. In this case, the has not returned calls seeking EPA has so far cemented an agree- comment, later signed a $40,000- ment only with Water-Gen, in a-month lobbying contract with January. It was scheduled to be the Moroccan government. unveiled in February, during American Australian Council Pruitt’s trip to Israel. treasurer Matthew Freedman, Many of the planned stops on whose group’s members include that trip were the sort any EPA ConocoPhillips, helped line up a administrator would undertake, September trip to Australia, according to Pruitt’s itinerary. For where Pruitt was scheduled to example, he was scheduled to promote liquefied natural gas ex- meet with ministers of environ- ports during a tour of the compa- mental protection and energy, vis- ny’s natural gas facility. That trip it a wastewater facility in Jerusa- also was canceled. Freedman did RICKY CARIOTI/THE WASHINGTON POST lem and stop at one of the world’s not respond to calls seeking com- largest desalination plants. ment; the council said it “author- Other proposed stops were less ized” Freedman to “have discus- was very perfunctory, and I would to Italy and Morocco. He has can- Scott Pruitt, administrator “This is the problem with clearly related to his mission, sions” with the EPA about the trip. describe them as simple introduc- celed trips to Australia, Japan and of the Environmental Pruitt,” said Virginia Canter, exec- such as excursions to the City of tions.” Israel after extensive advance Protection Agency, utive branch ethics counsel for David and the Galilee region, And in Israel, Pruitt was sched- In an email, EPA spokesman work by EPA officials. testifies last month before the nonprofit Citizens for Respon- where Jesus once preached. Just uled to unveil an agreement with Jahan Wilcox said agency officials In Italy and Morocco, Pruitt a House Appropriations sibility and Ethics in Washington. before Pruitt was scheduled to Water-Gen, an Israeli water puri- in the Office of International and granted his friends unusual ac- subcommittee on the “He’s basically acting as a lobbyist depart, an Adelson associate met fication company championed by Tribal Affairs “organized and led cess to official events. In Italy, for interior, environment and for all of his friends.” Pruitt aides Millan Hupp and Sar- Adelson. Adelson does not have a the effort around Administrator example, Pruitt met up in Rome related agencies. Pruitt’s From his first days at the EPA, ah Greenwalt in Israel to hammer financial stake in Water-Gen, ac- Pruitt’s” trip to Israel, as well as with Leonard Leo, executive vice travel program has come Pruitt made clear to top aides that out details of some of those cording to his aides and the com- planned journeys to Italy, Moroc- president of the conservative Fed- under scrutiny, with Israel was high on his agenda. events, according to a person fa- pany, but was impressed by its co, Mexico and Australia. Wilcox eralist Society. questions raised about the Pruitt had met Adelson while miliar with those meetings. technology and had urged Pruitt declined to answer questions Leo, who is Catholic, personally involvement of his serving as Oklahoma attorney Although the trip was canceled, to meet with Water-Gen execu- about Adelson’s role, Water-Gen arranged private events for Pruitt associates in planning his general, and he agreed when EPA testing of Water-Gen’s tech- tives soon after he took office. or other travel-related matters. and his aides, including a private travel and the relevance of Adelson suggested he meet with nology continues. Federal offi- That meeting took place on Pruitt’s practice of involving tour of the Vatican Library and some of the stops to his executives from Water-Gen. cials said a second company, March 29, 2017. outsiders in his travels raises seri- the Apostolic Palace, according to agency’s core mission Yehuda Kaploun, president of AquaSciences, could soon be add- Within weeks, Pruitt instructed ous ethical concerns, legal experts a participant in the trip. When Water-Gen USA, said Thursday ed to the agreement. his aides to find a way to procure said; federal law prohibits public Pruitt left a private Vatican Mass that Adelson became an enthusi- Kaploun said that Water-Gen Water-Gen’s technology, accord- officials from using their office to for a discussion of environmental astic backer after learning about “followed total protocol” in seek- ing to two administration officials enrich themselves or any private policy with Archbishop Paul Gal- the company’s innovative method ing EPA approval and that as far who spoke on the condition of individual, or to offer endorse- lagher, he invited Leo to join the of drawing potable water from as he knew, no other firms had anonymity for fear of retaliation. ments. meeting, according to two partici- moisture in the air. initially applied. The EPA signed an agreement Late Thursday, Democratic pants on the Italy trip. While Adelson had no invest- “Our technology is so advanced with the company in January; Sens. Thomas R. Carper (Del.) and Leo declined Thursday to com- ments or other financial involve- that no one else is in the same Pruitt had hoped to announce it Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) wrote ment. ment in the company, Kaploun realm,” he said, adding that Wa- while he was in Israel. Water-Gen to Pruitt seeking more informa- In Morocco, Smotkin joined said, he asked executives “wheth- ter-Gen had shouldered the cost is now working with EPA techni- tion about the Israel trip, the Pruitt’s entourage on multiple er we’d be prepared to meet with of delivering one of its units to the cal staff in Cincinnati to test its agency’s agreement with Water- stops, including a meeting with EPA.” EPA lab. technology in hopes of obtaining Gen and “the role Mr. Adelson or one of the kingdom’s most promi- On March 29, 2017, Kaploun Kaploun and Water-Gen’s U.S. a federal contract to provide other non-governmental officials nent business leaders, according and the parent company’s execu- CEO, Edward Russo — a former drinking water in places where played.” to three individuals familiar with tive chairman, Maxim Pasik, met environmental consultant to the water supply has been con- Along with Israel and Aus- the trip. with Pruitt in his office in Wash- Donald Trump who authored a taminated. tralia, Pruitt’s wish list for global Legal experts said that it is ington. The entry in Pruitt’s offi- book titled “Donald J. Trump: An On Thursday, Adelson’s top po- travel included Saudi Arabia, Co- highly unusual for private citizens cial calendar, released under a Environmental Hero” — visited litical adviser, Andy Abboud, con- lombia, Panama, Poland, Japan, to participate in official meetings public records request, includes a the president’s Mar-a-Lago estate firmed his involvement in plan- India and Canada, former staff when Cabinet members travel note that reads: “This came as a in March. They briefed Trump ning Pruitt’s Israel agenda, but members said, adding that Pruitt overseas, and that such invita- request of Sheldon Adelson.” about the technology, and the played down its significance, say- asked staffers to schedule the tions could be construed as tacit Water-Gen executives brought president invited them to the Oval ing, “Many people consult” Adel- trips at a pace of roughly one per endorsements of a group’s agen- along one of the company’s “home Office for a demonstration, Ka- son before making the journey. month. Political and career offi- da. Federal ethics rules prohibit and office” units, which can pro- ploun said. “In some cases, we will make an cials at the EPA suggested a hand- public officials from endorsing duce three to five gallons of water [email protected] introduction to various officials ful of other destinations, these “any product, service or enter- a day, and removed it from Pruitt’s [email protected] traveling to Israel and Israeli staff people said, including China and prise,” said Don Fox, a former office about a week later. During officials,” Abboud said. Of the Germany. acting director of the Office of the meeting, Kaploun said, Pruitt Josh Dawsey contributed to this planned Pruitt trip, he said: “It So far, Pruitt has traveled only Government Ethics. asked company executives to report. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 1

Pruitt asked aide to help his wife open a Chick-fil-A

by Juliet Eilperin, chapter in the ongoing saga of his ques- Brady Dennis tionable spending and management deci- and Josh Dawsey sions, which so far have spawned a dozen federal probes. Three months after Scott Pruitt was Pruitt’s efforts on his wife’s behalf — sworn in as head of the Environmental revealed in emails recently released under Protection Agency, his scheduler emailed a Freedom of Information Act request from Dan Cathy, chief executive of the fast-food the ­Sierra Club — did not end with Chick- company Chick-fil-A, with an unusual fil-A. He also approached the chief execu- request: Would Cathy meet with Pruitt to tive of Concordia, a New York nonprofit. discuss “a potential business opportunity”? The executive, Matthew A. Swift, said he A call was arranged, then canceled, ultimately paid Marlyn Pruitt $2,000, plus and Pruitt eventually spoke with someone travel expenses, to help with logistics for the from the company’s legal department. Only group’s annual conference in September. then did he reveal that the “opportunity” Current and former EPA aides, speak- on his mind was a job for his wife, Marlyn. ing on the condition of anonymity to “The subject of that phone call was an describe private conversations, said Scott expression of interest in his wife becoming Pruitt told them he was eager for his wife a Chick-fil-A franchisee,” company repre- to start receiving a salary. Two said the sentative Carrie Kurlander told The Wash- administrator was frustrated in part by the ington Post via email. high cost of maintaining homes in both Marlyn Pruitt never opened a restau- Washington and Oklahoma. rant. “Administrator Pruitt’s wife started, EPA spokesman Jahan Wilcox but did not complete, the Chick-fil-A fran- declined to comment on Pruitt’s overtures chisee application,” Kurlander said. But to Concordia and Chick-fil-A on his wife’s the revelation that Pruitt used his official behalf. position and EPA staff to try to line up Federal ethics laws bar public officials work for his wife appears to open a new from using their position or staff for pri- WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 2

vate gain. A ­Cabinet-level official using his “It’s not much different perch to contact a company CEO about a if he [had] asked the job for his wife “raises the specter of mis- aide to facilitate getting use of public office,” said Don Fox, who was head of the federal Office of Government a franchise for himself.” Don Fox, head of the federal Office of Ethics during the Obama administration. Government Ethics during the Obama “It’s not much different [from] if he [had] administration asked the aide to facilitate getting a fran- chise for himself.” acumen needed to own and operate Chick- Asking a government scheduler, Syd- fil-A restaurants.” ney Hupp, to plan the meeting also marks Pruitt’s expression of interest began a violation of federal rules barring officials May 16, 2017, according to the released from asking subordinates to perform per- emails, when Sydney Hupp emailed Cathy sonal tasks, Fox said. “It is a misuse of the that her boss “asked me to reach out to you aide’s time to ask the aide to do something and see if you might be willing to get a time like this that is really for personal financial set up for the two of you to have a meeting.” benefit.” Cathy, who has championed socially Hupp left the EPA last year; she did conservative causes and had met Pruitt not respond to a request for comment. during his tenure as Oklahoma attorney Hupp was not the only EPA employee general, replied within an hour, connect- enlisted to perform nonofficial tasks. Last ing Hupp with one of his own aides, Evan month, Pruitt acknowledged that Hupp’s Karanovich. sister, Millan, helped him search for hous- Karanovich asked whether “an ini- ing in the District. She later told congres- tial phone call would be sufficient” and sional staffers that she made inquiries at inquired what the EPA chief wanted to talk the Trump International Hotel about buy- about. “The Administrator did not mention ing him a used mattress while she was on a specific topic, but I will touch base with the EPA payroll. him to see if there is one,” Hupp replied. Georgia-based Chick-fil-A receives The two sides arranged a conference about 40,000 “expressions of interest” each call for June 23, with Cathy scheduled to year from people hoping to operate one of be joined by a senior attorney in his legal its restaurants, Kurlander said. department. That call did not happen, “The process of becoming a franchisee company officials said, adding that “a call is very thorough and results in approxi- took place later between Administrator mately 100 people being selected each Pruitt and a Chick-fil-A staff member.” year,” she wrote. “We are very proud of the The effort ultimately did not lead to fact that those who are selected demon- a franchise for Marlyn Pruitt. Kurlander strate the leadership ability and business noted that “Mrs. Pruitt is not and has never WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 3

been a Chick-fil-A franchisee.” early months of his tenure. Since then, his Around the same time, Scott Pruitt housing costs appear to have increased contacted Swift, CEO of Concordia, a non- substantially. profit that brings together leaders from According to public records, Pruitt the private and public sectors. Pruitt asked and his wife hold an $850,000 mortgage Swift to call Marlyn Pruitt, Swift said in an on their home in an upscale Tulsa neigh- email, which he did. borhood, requiring monthly payments of “We discussed her interest in event approximately $5,500 — including $17,793 planning for nonprofits and events that in property taxes the couple paid last year. take place in Washington,” Swift said. “Mrs. The mortgage has an adjustable rate, Pruitt was interested in meeting people in records show, so those payments eventu- the nonprofit sector, and I offered to intro- ally could rise. duce her to some of Concordia’s attendees In addition, the Pruitts lease an apart- based in Washington and for her to become ment in a modern development on Capi- involved with Concordia’s events.” tol Hill where one-bedroom units start at Swift’s group had invited Scott Pruitt around $3,000 per month. to speak at its 2017 conference in Manhat- As EPA head, Pruitt makes $189,600 tan, the same event where Marlyn Pruitt a year, according to federal records. In a was paid $2,000 for three days’ work. At federal financial form filed after he was the event, Scott Pruitt was accompanied by nominated to lead the agency, Pruitt listed at least three aides. EPA travel records show his only income as his attorney general’s his first-class plane ticket cost $1,201.80, salary, about $133,000 per year. and his overnight stay came to $669. Under the entry for spouse’s income “Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Pruitt ever solic- and retirement accounts, he wrote, “None.” ited a position for Mrs. Pruitt at Concordia, Pruitt’s most recent financial disclo- nor was it a condition of the agreement for sure was due in May, but like many Trump the administrator to speak,” Swift said. administration officials, he has requested a The Pruitts’ focus on augmenting their filing extension. household income appears to have come [email protected] after the administrator moved to Wash- [email protected] ington and began paying for two full-time [email protected] residences. The EPA chief attracted wide- spread criticism for renting a $50-a-night Alice Crites and Andrew Ba Tran contributed to this report. condo from a Washington lobbyist in the A16 EZ SU THE WASHINGTON POST . WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 PowerPost

INTELLIGENCE FOR LEADERS  WASHINGTONPOST.COM/POWERPOST Pruitt asked aide to help his wife open a Chick-fil-A

BY JULIET EILPERIN, had met Pruitt during his tenure BRADY DENNIS as Oklahoma attorney general, AND JOSH DAWSEY replied within an hour, connect- ing Hupp with one of his own Three months after Scott Pruitt aides, Evan Karanovich. was sworn in as head of the Karanovich asked whether “an Environmental Protection Agen- initial phone call would be suffi- cy, his scheduler emailed Dan cient” and inquired what the EPA Cathy, chief executive of the fast- chief wanted to talk about. “The food company Chick-fil-A, with Administrator did not mention a an unusual request: Would Cathy specific topic, but I will touch meet with Pruitt to discuss “a base with him to see if there is potential business opportunity”? one,” Hupp replied. A call was arranged, then can- The two sides arranged a con- celed, and Pruitt eventually spoke ference call for June 23, with with someone from the compa- Cathy scheduled to be joined by a ny’s legal department. Only then senior attorney in his legal de- did he reveal that the “opportu- partment. That call did not hap- nity” on his mind was a job for his pen, company officials said, add- wife, Marlyn. ing that “a call took place later “The subject of that phone call between Administrator Pruitt CHRISTINA MYERS/ASSOCIATED PRESS was an expression of interest in and a Chick-fil-A staff member.” The Poor People’s Campaign called for an immediate expansion of Medicaid during a protest Monday in the South Carolina statehouse. his wife becoming a Chick-fil-A The effort ultimately did not franchisee,” company representa- lead to a franchise for Marlyn tive Carrie Kurlander told The Pruitt. Kurlander noted that Washington Post via email. “Mrs. Pruitt is not and has never Marlyn Pruitt never opened been a Chick-fil-A franchisee.” States may expand Medicaid via ballot initiative a restaurant. “Administrator Around the same time, Scott Pruitt’s wife started, but did not Pruitt contacted Swift, CEO of When the Trump care law was passed. But since But some states are pursuing They’re keeping their fingers complete, the Chick-fil-A franchi- Concordia, a nonprofit that The administration the Trump administration took work requirements while staying crossed that voters will agree see application,” Kurlander said. brings together leaders from the Health 202 started this year over a year and a half ago, just far away from the question of with them in November and But the revelation that Pruitt used private and public sectors. Pruitt allowing states to two states — Maine and Virginia expansion. In April, the choose full expansion instead. his official position and EPA staff asked Swift to call Marlyn Pruitt, PAIGE require work or — have taken actions toward Tennessee legislature passed a “Frankly, if we don’t come to try to line up work for his wife Swift said in an email, which he WINFIELD CUNNINGHAM volunteering by expansion. bill directing the state to request through with this ballot appears to open a new chapter in did. their Medicaid Meanwhile, about 2.5 million federal permission for work initiative, I don’t think there will the ongoing saga of his question- “We discussed her interest in enrollees, there was lots of Americans fall into the “coverage requirements. Last month, be one more Utahn who needs able spending and management event planning for nonprofits and speculation that more GOP-led gap” because they live in states Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) Medicaid who will get it,” Curtis decisions, which so far have events that take place in Washing- state legislatures would finally that didn’t expand Medicaid. signed a measure asking said. “I don’t think CMS will spawned a dozen federal probes. ton,” Swift said. “Mrs. Pruitt was adopt Obamacare’s Medicaid These folks make too much permission to add the state’s approve what was passed.” Pruitt’s efforts on his wife’s be- interested in meeting people in expansion. money to qualify for traditional work requirements for food It’s likely that Idaho activists half — revealed in emails recently the nonprofit sector, and I offered But with the exception of Medicaid but they earn too little stamps to the Medicaid program. will also get a ballot initiative in released under a Freedom of In- to introduce her to some of Con- Virginia, they mostly haven’t. to get subsidies for buying plans “I don’t think you saw a wave November. By the end of this formation Act request from the cordia’s attendees based in Wash- Instead, the next states to on the ACA marketplaces. of states moving to expand month, the state’s election Sierra Club — did not end with ington and for her to become expand Medicaid probably will “The states that haven’t Medicaid work requirements officials must certify they’ve Chick-fil-A. He also approached involved with Concordia’s do so if voters approve such a expanded are missing during the current legislative received at least 56,192 valid the chief executive of Concordia, a events.” decision in November. Last opportunities to provide care to season, and most of the states signatures from voters in at least New York nonprofit. The execu- Swift’s group had invited Scott week, Utah’s lieutenant governor their most disadvantaged have wrapped up,” said Patrick 18 of Idaho’s 35 legislative tive, Matthew A. Swift, said he Pruitt to speak at its 2017 confer- announced there are a sufficient working poor at a very beneficial Willard, senior director of state districts. Reclaim Idaho, the ultimately paid Marlyn Pruitt ence in Manhattan, the same number of signatures for a ballot match rate with the federal and national strategic volunteer group behind the $2,000, plus travel expenses, to event where Marlyn Pruitt was initiative to expand Medicaid, government,” said Jeff Myers, partnerships for the liberal effort, says it has turned in more help with logistics for the group’s paid $2,000 for three days’ work. and activists in Idaho have said president of Medicaid Health group Families USA. than enough signatures. annual conference in September. At the event, Scott Pruitt was they’ve collected enough Plans of America, a group that Utah is one of the states Of course, as Maine has shown Current and former EPA aides, signatures for a ballot question. represents Medicaid managed- pursuing work requirements as us, voting to expand Medicaid speaking on the condition of ano- “We have been polling for five care organizations. “They’re part of Medicaid expansion. But doesn’t always mean state nymity to describe private con- years on how Utahns feel about leaving a lot of money on the the attempt may fail because the lawmakers will comply. Maine’s versations, said Scott Pruitt told “It’s not much different medical expansion, and they’re table.” state is going out on a limb to Republican governor, Paul them he was eager for his wife to on board,” said RyLee Curtis, When states started their request only a partial expansion, LePage, has done all he could to start receiving a salary. Two said if he [had] asked the spokeswoman for the Utah legislative sessions this past up to just 100 percent of the avoid expanding the program, the administrator was frustrated Decides Healthcare campaign. spring, there was chatter that federal poverty level. The request even though 59 percent of voters in part by the high cost of main- aide to facilitate getting Utah and Idaho are among the more would expand Medicaid is part of an expansion bill the approved the ballot initiative. taining homes in both Washing- 17 states holding out on because they could attach more legislature passed this spring. If LePage, who is being sued over ton and Oklahoma. a franchise for himself.” Medicaid expansion under the strings to the federal program CMS rejects that request — his resistance, has said he won’t EPA spokesman Jahan Wilcox Don Fox, head of the federal Office of Affordable Care Act. The ACA they’re typically wary of. The which is a strong possibility — comply until state lawmakers declined to comment on Pruitt’s Government Ethics during the Obama provides generous federal Centers for Medicare and the expansion legislation agree to his funding proposals. overtures to Concordia and administration funding for covering adults who Medicaid Services (CMS) has couldn’t go into effect. Activists in Utah say they’ve Chick-fil-A on his wife’s behalf. earn up to 138 percent of the approved work requirements for That’s why it’s more likely that learned their lesson from Maine. Federal ethics laws bar public federal poverty level, but four states, and several others Utah will expand Medicaid via When voters go to the polls in officials from using their position accompanied by at least three expansion has emerged as one of are awaiting permission to the separate ballot initiative this November, they’ll be asked not or staff for private gain. A aides. EPA travel records show his the biggest political divides impose such requirements. fall. If voters approve it, the state only whether Medicaid should Cabinet-level official using his first-class plane ticket cost between red and blue states in That helped in Virginia, sort will expand its program to the be expanded, but also whether perch to contact a company CEO $1,201.80, and his overnight stay recent years as Republicans have of. The expansion bill the state’s ACA’s 138 percent threshold, just there should be a new sales tax about a job for his wife “raises the came to $669. resisted extending its coverage to House and Senate approved last like every other expansion state. on nonfood items to pay for the specter of misuse of public office,” “Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Pruitt more able-bodied, childless week includes a provision to ask That’s the hope of Utah state’s portion of it. said Don Fox, who was head of the ever solicited a position for Mrs. adults. CMS for a waiver to add work health-care advocates, who “Maine certainly served as a federal Office of Government Eth- Pruitt at Concordia, nor was it a Democratic-led states and a requirements and premium dislike the idea of only partial bellwether for us that it was ics during the Obama administra- condition of the agreement for handful of Republican-led ones payments, language that helped expansion and are skeptical that possible to do expansion through tion. “It’s not much different the administrator to speak,” Swift moved quickly to expand their bring a handful of Republicans the Trump administration will initiatives,” Curtis said. [from] if he [had] asked the aide said. programs after the 2010 health- on board. approve that effort anyway. [email protected] to facilitate getting a franchise for The Pruitts’ focus on augment- himself.” ing their household income ap- Asking a government schedul- pears to have come after the ad- er, Sydney Hupp, to plan the ministrator moved to Washing- meeting also marks a violation of ton and began paying for two federal rules barring officials full-time residences. The EPA Key Medicare fund to run out earlier than thought from asking subordinates to per- chief attracted widespread criti- form personal tasks, Fox said. “It cism for renting a $50-a-night BY AMY GOLDSTEIN ed care. undramatic. It says that the trust side experts with power to slow is a misuse of the aide’s time to ask condo from a Washington lobby- Unlike in previous years going funds that pay benefits to retirees, Medicare’s spending if it reached the aide to do something like this ist in the early months of his The financial future of the part back decades, none of the trustees workers’ survivors and people a certain threshold. that is really for personal finan- tenure. Since then, his housing of Medicare that pays older Amer- — three Cabinet members and the with disabilities can, taken to- Republican critics erroneously cial benefit.” costs appear to have increased icans’ hospital bills has deterio- acting Social Security commis- gether, be expected to remain sol- tarred IPAB as a “death panel” Hupp left the EPA last year; she substantially. rated significantly, according to sioner — attended the report’s vent until 2034, unchanged from that would deny care to the elder- did not respond to a request for According to public records, an annual government report that release at the Treasury Depart- a year ago. ly. comment. Pruitt and his wife hold an forecasts that the trust fund will ment. Both programs have long been Obama-era trustees’ reports Hupp was not the only EPA $850,000 mortgage on their be depleted by 2026 — three years Treasury Secretary Steven under pressure because of demo- said the law was helping to hold employee enlisted to perform home in an upscale Tulsa neigh- sooner than expected a year ago. Mnuchin issued a statement that graphics. The aging of the large down health-care spending. The nonofficial tasks. Last month, borhood, requiring monthly pay- The report, issued Tuesday by a tax cuts, regulatory changes and baby-boom generation is making report issued Tuesday says that Pruitt acknowledged that Hupp’s ments of approximately $5,500 — quartet of Trump administration altered trade policies “will gener- up an increasing share of the the law had “introduced large sister, Millan, helped him search including $17,793 in property tax- officials who are trustees for ate the long-term growth needed nation’s population, with propor- policy changes and additional for housing in the District. She es the couple paid last year. The Medicare and Social Security, re- to help secure these programs and tionally fewer working-age Amer- projection uncertainty.” later told congressional staffers mortgage has an adjustable rate, veals that policy changes ushered lead them to a more stable path.” icans chipping in payroll taxes. In keeping with efforts by that she made inquiries at the records show, so those payments in by the president and the Re- Seema Verma, administrator of The trustees typically also in- Health and Human Services Sec- Trump International Hotel eventually could rise. publican Congress are weakening the Centers for Medicare and clude two members of the public, retary Alex Azar — one of the about buying him a used mattress In addition, the Pruitts lease an the financial underpinnings of Medicaid Services, called on Con- but the administration has not trustees — to usher in new pay- while she was on the EPA payroll. apartment in a modern develop- the already fragile insurance pro- gress to embrace Medicare pro- filled those positions. ment methods that reward quali- Georgia-based Chick-fil-A re- ment on Capitol Hill where one- gram. posals in President Trump’s budg- From administration to admin- fy and cost efficiency, the report ceives about 40,000 “expressions bedroom units start at around According to the report, less et, saying that they “would istration, the trustees’ report has says that “if the health sector of interest” each year from people $3,000 per month. money will be flowing into the strengthen the integrity of the for many years been a cautionary cannot transition to more effi- hoping to operate one of its res- As EPA head, Pruitt makes hospital-care trust fund in part Medicare program.” Along with note about the financial fragility cient models of care delivery and taurants, Kurlander said. $189,600 a year, according to fed- because the tax law passed this strategies to try to slow spending of the two main programs de- achieve productivity increases, “The process of becoming a eral records. In a federal financial year will cause the government to on prescription drugs, one pro- signed to buffer Americans from the availability and quality” of franchisee is very thorough and form filed after he was nominated collect less in income taxes. In posal would shift responsibility poverty in their older years. For care available to older Americans results in approximately 100 peo- to lead the agency, Pruitt listed his addition, lower wages last year for uncompensated care pay- more than two decades, presi- on Medicare will fall. ple being selected each year,” she only income as his attorney gen- will translate into lower payroll ments from the Medicare pro- dents of both political parties and Sen. Ron Wyden (Ore.), the top wrote. “We are very proud of the eral’s salary, about $133,000 per taxes. gram to the Treasury. Congress have sporadically as- Democrat on the Senate Finance fact that those who are selected year. As revenue slips, hospital ex- The annual reckoning of the sembled high-level commissions Committee, said in a statement, demonstrate the leadership abili- Under the entry for spouse’s penses will increase, the report stability of the nation’s two largest to explore ways to prolong the “This report should eliminate any ty and business acumen needed income and retirement accounts, says. A senior government official entitlement programs amplifies solvency of one or both programs. doubt that Trump’s tax law to own and operate Chick-fil-A he wrote, “None.” who briefed reporters on it said earlier warnings that both are None has led to major changes. yanked Medicare closer to insol- restaurants.” Pruitt’s most recent financial that part of that increase is be- unsustainable over time. It also The main change since Trump vency.” Pruitt’s expression of interest disclosure was due in May, but cause the tax law will, starting urges Congress to revise the pro- was elected in 2016 has been Con- House Ways and Means Com- began May 16, 2017, according to like many Trump administration next year, end enforcement of the grams to ward off the shortfalls gress’s action in February to re- mittee Chairman Kevin Brady (R- the released emails, when Sydney officials, he has requested a filing Affordable Care Act’s require- soon to “minimize adverse im- peal an unpopular aspect of the Tex.) said in a statement that Hupp emailed Cathy that her boss extension. ment that most Americans carry pacts” on the tens of millions of Affordable Care Act that was in- ensuring the solvency of the two “asked me to reach out to you and [email protected] health insurance. As a result, hos- elderly and other vulnerable peo- tended to have constrained Medi- programs “is of the utmost impor- see if you might be willing to get a [email protected] pitals are predicted to have more ple who rely on the government care spending if it rose too high. tance. . . . The time is now to come time set up for the two of you to [email protected] uninsured patients, in turn re- help. The Independent Payment Ad- together in a bipartisan manner have a meeting.” quiring the Medicare program to The new report’s forecast for visory Board, known as IPAB, was to address these real challenges.” Cathy, who has championed Alice Crites and Andrew Ba Tran pay more for such uncompensat- Social Security is comparatively to have been a committee of out- [email protected] socially conservative causes and contributed to this report. Supplemental Material ABCDE

Democracy Dies in Darkness SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2018 Exodus hits EPA in era of Trump

WORKFORCE DROPS enced veterans, as well as young environ- BY 8 PERCENT mental experts who traditionally would have replaced them — stirring fears about Big policy shifts hasten brain drain at the EPA. The sheer number departures, staffers say of departures also has prompted concerns over what sort of work is falling by the way- by Brady Dennis, side, from enforcement investigations to Juliet Eilperin environmental research. and Andrew Ba Tran According to data released under the Freedom of Information Act and analyzed On the campaign trail, Donald Trump by The Washington Post, at least 260 sci- vowed to dismantle the Environmental entists, 185 “environmental protection spe- Protection Agency “in almost every form. cialists” and 106 engineers are gone. We’re going to have little tidbits left, but Several veteran EPA employees, who we’re going to take a tremendous amount have worked for both Republican and out.” Democratic administrations, said the agen- As president, he is making headway cy’s profound policy shifts under Trump on that promise. ­hastened their departure. During the first 18 months of the “I felt it was time to leave given the Trump administration, records show, irresponsible, ongoing diminishment of nearly 1,600 workers left the EPA, while agency resources, which has recklessly fewer than 400 were hired. The exodus has endangered our ability to execute our shrunk the agency’s workforce by 8 per- responsibilities as public servants,” said cent, to levels not seen since the Reagan Ann Williamson, a scientist and longtime administration. The trend has continued supervisor in the EPA’s Region 10 Seattle even after a major round of buyouts last office. year and despite the fact that the EPA’s She left in March after 33 years at budget has remained stable. the agency, exasperated by having to plan Those who have resigned or retired how her office would implement Presi- include some of the agency’s most experi- dent Trump’s proposed cuts and weary of SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 2

DOUG KAPUSTIN FOR THE WASHINGTON POST Christopher Zarba retired in February after serving on the EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board. He disagreed with plans to overhaul the board’s membership.

what she viewed as priority is recruiting and maintaining the For some the administration’s right staff, the right people for our mission, EPA staff, refusal to make pol- rather than total full-time employees,” he ‘it was time icy decisions based said. on evidence. “I did Congress has so far maintained the to leave’ not want to any lon- EPA’s budget at just more than $8 billion, ger be any part of and while current proposals could shrink this administration’s nonsense,” she said. that amount, any cuts are likely to be mod- In a statement Friday, Acting Admin- est. istrator Andrew Wheeler said he was “The Trump administration comes in focused on right-sizing the EPA, which and goes way, way beyond what the bud- Republicans have argued overreached get requires,” said Rep. David E. Price under President Barack Obama, burden- (D-N.C.), a senior member of the House ing industry with regulations such as those Appropriations Committee and whose focused on climate change. district is home to a major EPA research “With nearly half of our employees center. Price said multiple constituents eligible to retire in the next five years, my have told him that working at the EPA has SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 3

become “intolerable” after see- ing their findings sidelined. “It is profoundly demoral- izing, and I think, profoundly damaging in terms of the agen- cy’s mission,” he said. The EPA is not alone in shed- ding personnel under Trump, despite the fact that Congress passed a $1.3 trillion budget bill in March that boosted both mili- tary and domestic spending. Ann Williamson left in March, exasperated by having to plan how her office would implement President Trump’s proposed cuts. The State Department’s total number of permanent employees, for instance, fell 6.4 per- career staff members headed for the exits. cent between Trump’s inauguration and Hundreds of employees accepted buyouts March 2018, according to federal records, last summer, and records show that nearly while the Education Department declined a quarter of the agency’s remaining 13,758 9.4 percent during that time. employees are now eligible to retire. At its Part of the drop stems from a govern- peak in the late 1990s, the EPA employed ment-wide hiring freeze Trump imposed more than 18,000 people. after his inauguration, which lasted nearly Christopher Zarba, who retired in Feb- three months. The president has continued ruary after serving as director of the EPA’s to press for a leaner federal payroll, asking Scientific Advisory Board, disagreed with Congress recently to withhold pay raises former administrator Scott Pruitt’s deci- for federal workers in 2019. sion last year to overhaul the board’s mem- In a few instances, Trump’s deputies bership. Zarba, a 38-year EPA veteran, said are trying to fill the widespread vacancies that for many staff members, a belief in the in their department’s ranks. Secretary of agency’s mission had compensated for less- State Mike Pompeo recently began try- than-ideal working conditions. ing to staff the many senior positions that “That is the crazy glue that holds the remained empty under his predecessor, place together, the idea, ‘This is important. Rex Tillerson. Meanwhile, Veterans Affairs We’re making a difference,’ ” he said. “And is eager to hire doctors, nurses and other when that crazy glue begins to fall apart, medical professionals to fill thousands of things change.” vacancies. That sentiment played a role in Betsy But at the EPA, it is largely a case of Smith’s decision to retire in June after SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 4

20 years with the EPA’s Office of Under Trump, many EPA offices have seen staffs dwindle The EPA has lost 8 percent of its workforce during the first 18 months of the Research and Development — a administration, shrinking the agency to a size not seen since the Reagan era. department singled out for mas- Here are some of the offices most affected. -15% -10 -5 0 sive cuts in Trump’s first bud- -6.4% Office of Air and Radiation get proposal. She said officials -8 Regional offices largely shelved a project she was -8.7 Office of Water leading that aimed to help port -10 Office of Research and Development communities deal with climate -15.3 Office of International and Tribal Affairs change and other environmen- -15.7 Office of Enforcement and Compliance tal challenges. Source: EPA THE WASHINGTON POST “It’s really awful to feel like you don’t have any role to play, that there’s regard for the agency’s own research. He not any interest in the work you’re doing,” also took the president’s desire to scale said Smith, 62. “My feeling was I could do back the EPA to heart, repeatedly boasting better work to protect the environment about how a buyout and early retirement outside the EPA.” push last year reduced the agency work- Troy Hottle, 32, arrived at the EPA in force. early 2016 as a research fellow after getting Other conservatives also have cheered his doctorate in sustainable engineering at the whittling down of EPA’s size and reach Arizona State University. He expected to as appropriate and overdue. forge a career there, as others like him had “It doesn’t take a bigger bureaucracy historically done. to clean our environment,” Rep. Ken Cal- “I really felt good about what I was vert (R-Calif.), who chairs the House sub- doing and who I was working with,” Hottle committee overseeing the EPA’s budget, said. said in a statement. “A lean and efficient But a year and a half into his time at workforce at the EPA is a win for taxpay- the EPA, the future hiring prospects within ers and the environment by allowing more the Office of Research and Development funding to go towards efforts to clean our seemed uncertain at best. The career path water and air.” The agency also underwent he had “spent half a lifetime” pursuing, he buyouts during the Obama administration, said, no longer looked so appealing. but EPA still had about 15,000 employees Last September, when he got a job when he left office. offer from a national environmental con- EPA officials last year launched a sulting firm, he decided to make the leap. reorganization aimed at streamlining the After his arrival, Pruitt quickly gained agency, and Wheeler has struck a more a reputation for excluding career officials measured tone as he has pursued it. A for- from key decisions and showing little mer EPA staff member himself, he praised SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2018 KLMNO PAGE 5

career employees in a speech after his responsible for Superfund sites left earlier appointment, saying his “instincts” would this year and has yet to be replaced, said be to defend their work and sympathiz- Mike Mikulka, president of the local union ing about the stress that comes with the that represents EPA employees. changes the agency is undergoing. “You can talk all you want, but your On Thursday, he sent an agencywide actions speak far louder,” he said, noting email announcing that regional offices that Pruitt had held up Superfund as a top would be redesigned to mirror the struc- priority during his tenure. “What’s hap- ture at headquarters. pening is that the lowest priority work just As the departures continue, some doesn’t get done. And some of that work is EPA workers have voiced worries that the really critical.” administration’s refusal to fill vacancies One of the EPA divisions hardest hit with younger employees has effectively by staff cuts is the Office of Enforcement blocked the pipeline of new talent. and Compliance Assurance, whose num- Dan Costa, 70, joined the EPA 34 years bers dipped 15.7 percent between January ago as a staff scientist, rising through the 2017 and August 2018. Several experts said ranks to direct its national air, climate that any cuts to that division have a major and energy research program in 2011. He impact because the vast majority of its stepped down from that post in January, budget comes from personnel costs rather and he said he spent part of the last year than grants or other expenditures. counseling younger researchers who saw Granta Nakayama, who headed the no possibility of replicating his career path. office from 2005 to 2009, said that it “I had young people come into my couldn’t sustain that deep a staffing cut office, close the door and say, ‘What should without curtailing some of its operations. I do? Should I be looking for a job some- “If you don’t have people to enforce where else?’ ” he said. He said he advised the regulations, you’re not going to get one young man to “test the waters” given enforcement, and you’re not going to get the current regime. “These people are like compliance,” said Nakayama, now a part- termites, gnawing at the foundation.” ner at the law firm King & Spalding. “If you Multiple current and former employ- don’t have boots on the ground, it doesn’t ees also say that the exodus at the EPA happen.” has left important work falling through [email protected] the cracks. In Chicago, for instance, a civil [email protected] investigator responsible for probing who is [email protected] The versatile Mr. Ten years after Not their job? Smith Redskins open America still recovering On whether civil season in Arizona, from effects of 2008’s servants should $387 betting on their new massive financial crisis put politics before quarterback SPORTS BUSINESS careers OUTLOOK ABCDE Prices may vary in areas outside metropolitan Washington. M2 V1 V2 V3 V4

Rain 69/63 • Tomorrow: Thunderstorm 84/72 C12 Democracy Dies in Darkness SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2018 . $3.50 Midterms Exodus becoming all about hits EPA president in era of

Trump’s rash behavior, Trump more than policies, taking center stage WORKFORCE DROPS BY 8 PERCENT

BY ASHLEY PARKER AND PHILIP RUCKER Big policy shifts hasten departures, staffers say The striking split-screen as this past week wound down — former president Barack Obama made BY BRADY DENNIS, his campaign trail debut mourn- JULIET EILPERIN ing the departure of decency and AND ANDREW BA TRAN lawfulness from the White House just as President Trump called on On the campaign trail, Donald the Justice Department to hunt Trump vowed to dismantle the down a nameless personal enemy Environmental Protection Agency — neatly framed the midterm “in almost every form. We’re going dynamic. to have little tidbits left, but we’re For Democrats and Republi- going to take a tremendous cans, and especially for the 45th amount out.” president himself, it is all about As president, he is making Trump. PHOTOS BY CAROLYN VAN HOUTEN/THE WASHINGTON POST headway on that promise. Midterm campaign cycles tra- During the first 18 months of ditionally have centered on the the Trump administration, rec- party in power. Opposition to for- ords show, nearly 1,600 workers mer president George W. Bush’s left the EPA, while fewer than 400 Iraq War powered the 2006 Dem- The border wall: Gravestone to a way of life? were hired. The exodus has ocratic wave, while a backlash to shrunk the agency’s workforce by Obama’s health-care law fueled he most recent government let- was interested only in a thin strip of 8 percent, to levels not seen since the 2010 Republican takeover. ter arrived in an envelope One Texas landowner in the land running across the width of his the Reagan administration. The But this year is shaping up T marked “Urgent: Action Re- project’s path agonizes property, just wide enough to build a trend has continued even after a differently. The Nov. 6 elections quired,” so Fred Cavazos asked his wall, leaving the Cavazos family with major round of buyouts last year that will determine control of family to meet at their usual gather- over whether to fight land on both sides. But even if they and despite the fact that the EPA’s Congress are likely to hinge on the ing spot on the Rio Grande. He and to save his last 77 acres lost only a few acres of land to the budget has remained stable. president — the man and his rash three of his relatives crowded around 30-foot wall, the barrier would sever Those who have resigned or actions, more so than his policies an outdoor table as Fred, 69, opened the property in half and make it retired include some of the agen- — to a remarkable degree. the envelope and unfolded a large BY ELI SASLOW difficult for anyone to access the cy’s most experienced veterans, as MIDTERMS CONTINUED ON A11 map in front of them. It showed a IN MADERO, TEX. riverfront. The map didn’t show a well as young environmental ex- satellite image of the family’s land, gate or a door, and Fred wondered perts who traditionally would 77 rural acres on the U.S. border how they would travel from one side have replaced them — stirring where Fred had lived and worked all of the property to the other. fears about brain drain at the EPA. his life, but he had never seen the “We’d lose the renters,” his sister The sheer number of departures A cold-cash property rendered like this. said. “We’d lose the cattle without also has prompted concerns over “Border Infrastructure Project,” access to the river.” what sort of work is falling by the the map read, and across its center “All of it,” Fred said. “Who wants to wayside, from enforcement inves- prospect in was a red line that cut through the live on the other side of that wall? If tigations to environmental re- A10 EZ SU THE WASHINGTON POST . SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2018 Cavazos family barn, through their this goes through, our property’s use- search. less-icy Arctic rental house, and through a field less.” According to data released un- where they grazed a small herd of In the three years since Donald der the Freedom of Information longhorn cattle. Trump announced his presidential Act and analyzed by The Washing- COMMENTARY “This is where they want to put the campaign with a promise to build a ton Post, at least 260 scientists, 185 Ship packed with fish wall,” Fred said, tracing his finger “great, great wall,” Fred had tried to “environmental protection spe- Central along the line. “They want to divide dismiss the idea as an easy applause cialists” and 106 engineers are and gadgets tests route the property in half and cut us off A Border Patrol watchtower, top, line, a fantasy both too expensive and gone. Chair ump’s sexist power play robs both U.S. Open women’s finalists that could serve Moscow from the river.” equipped with surveillance devices too complex to become reality. Texas Several veteran EPA employees, American They stared at the map for a few stands on land that the family of Fred alone has more than 1,200 miles of who have worked for both Repub- JENKINS FROM A1 deserved to be disciplined, but she seconds, trying to make sense of it. It Cavazos, above, has owned, lived on border, much of it similar in nature to lican and Democratic administra- has outlived all that. She has seemed to Fred that the government and worked since the 1700s. BORDER CONTINUED ON A8 tions, said the agency’s profound mos that started the ugly cascade become a player of directed conference BY WILLIAM BOOTH policy shifts under Trump in the first place, when he issued a passion, done the admirable work AND AMIE FERRIS-ROTMAN hastened their departure. warning over “coaching,” as if a of learning self-command and EPA CONTINUED ON A10 signal from Patrick Mouratoglou grown into one of the more scrapped london — Under partly sunny in the grandstand has ever been courteous and generous skies and relatively balmy tem- the difference in a Serena champions in the game. If you BY NICK MIROFF peratures in the low 50s, the Williams match. It was a doubted that, all you had to do AND JOSHUA PARTLOW Venta Maersk sailed through the COMMENTARY technicality that could be called was watch how she got a hold of Bering Strait this past week and on any player in any match on any herself once the match was over A high-level conference intend- steered hard to port, beginning a occasion and ludicrous in view of and how hard she tried to make it ed to highlight U.S. security coop- modern-day voyage of discovery the power-on-power match that about Osaka. eration with Mexico and Central that could hearken a transforma- Sexist power play ruins powerful final was taking place on the court Williams understood that she America was abruptly called off tion for global shipping and the between Williams and the 20- was the only person in the Friday amid flaring diplomatic Arctic environment. BY SALLY JENKINS of tennis, all because he couldn’t Slam title and one of Williams’s year-old Osaka. It was one more stadium who had the power to tensions with El Salvador and The Venta is a big, new, pricey, take a woman speaking sharply to last bids for all-time greatness. added stressor for Williams, still make that incensed crowd stop Guatemala, according to two ice-class vessel owned by Danish Chair umpire Carlos Ramos him. Over what? A tone of voice. Male trying to come back from her booing. And she did it beautifully. Trump administration officials. shipping giant Maersk — and it is managed to rob not one but two Williams abused her racket, players have sworn and cursed at maternity leave and fighting to “Let’s make this the best moment Top diplomats and security offi- the world’s first container ship to players in the women’s U.S. Open but Ramos did something far ugli- the top of their lungs, hurled and regain her fitness and resume her we can,” she said. cials from the United States, Mexi- attempt the Northern Sea Route, final. Nobody has ever seen any- er: He abused his authority. blasted their equipment into pursuit of Margaret Court’s The tumultuous emotions at co and Central America were the fabled Northeast Passage thing like it: An umpire so Champions get heated — it’s their shards, and never been penalized record of 24 Grand Slam singles the end of the match were scheduled to meet the coming that runs from the edge of Alaska wrecked a big occasion that both nature to burn. All good umpires as Williams was in the second set titles. “I don’t cheat,” she told complex and deep. Osaka didn’t week in Washington as a follow-up to the top of Scandinavia along players, Naomi Osaka and Serena in every sport understand that the of the U.S. Open final. Ramos hotly. want to be given anything and to the “Conference on Prosperity Russia’s desolate Siberian coast- Williams alike, wound up dis- heart of their job is to help temper “I just feel like the fact that I When Williams, still seething, wept over the spoil. Williams was and Security in Central America,” line. traught with tears streaming the moment, to turn the dial have to go through this is just an busted her racket over losing a sickened by what had been taken held in Miami last year and at- Maritime transit is now possi- down their faces during the tro- down, not up, and to be quiet example for the next person that crucial game, Ramos docked her a from her and also palpably ill over tended by then-Secretary of ble between July and October phy presentation and an incensed stewards of the event rather than has emotions and that want to point. Breaking equipment is a her part in depriving a great new Homeland Security John F. Kelly because of the rapid and, to crowd screamed boos at the court. to let their own temper play a role express themselves and wants to violation, and because Ramos young player of her moment. The and Rex Tillerson, the U.S. secre- many, deeply unsettling retreat Ramos took what began as a mi- in determining the outcome. In- be a strong woman,” she said af- already had hit her with the DANIELLE PARHIZKARAN/USA TODAY SPORTS crowd was livid on behalf of both. tary of state at the time. EDUARDO MUNOZ ALVAREZ/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES of Arctic sea ice due to profound nor infraction and turned it into stead, Ramos made himself the terward. coaching violation, it was a Naomi Osaka defeated Serena Williams, 6-2, 6-4, to win the U.S. Open, the first major title of the 20- Ramos had rescued his ego and, The talks for the coming week climate change, a trend that is one of the nastiest and most emo- chief player in the women’s final. It was pure pettiness from Ra- Naomi Osaka, right, won the U.S. Open final Saturday in New York second offense and so ratcheted year-old’s career. But a game penalty against Williams in the second set overshadowed Osaka’s victory. in the act, taken something from were scrapped after the govern- ARCTIC CONTINUED ON A7 tional controversies in the history He marred Osaka’s first Grand JENKINS CONTINUED ON A10 after the chair umpire gave Serena Williams, left, a game penalty. up the penalty. Williams and Osaka that they can ments of El Salvador and Guate- The controversy should have statement. It was pure vapor delay, and Nadal told him he Williams feel his power. It was an never get back. Perhaps the most mala notified U.S. diplomats that ended there. At that moment, it release. She said it in a tone of would see to it that Ramos never offense far worse than any that important job of all for an umpire their representatives would not APARTMENTS...... INSERT CLASSIFIEDS...... J4 LOTTERIES...... C3 STOCKS...... G6 DAILY CODE CONTENT © 2018 was up to Ramos to de-escalate wrath, but it was compressed and refereed one of his matches again. Williams committed. Chris Evert is to respect the ephemeral nature travel to Washington, according to ARTS...... E1 COMICS...... INSERT OUTLOOK...... B1 TRAVEL...... F1 9 9 3 7 The Washington Post the situation, to stop inserting controlled. All Ramos had to do But he wasn’t going to take it spoke for the entire crowd and of the competitors and the the two administration officials, BUSINESS NEWS...... G1 OPINION PAGES...... A15 OBITUARIES...... C8 WORLD NEWS...... A12 Details, C2 7 Year 141, No. 278 himself into the match and to let was to continue to sit coolly above from a woman pointing a finger at television audience when she contest. Osaka can never, ever who spoke on the condition of things play out on the court. In it, and Williams would have him and speaking in a tone of said, “I’ve been in tennis a long recover this moment. It’s gone. anonymity because no formal an- front of him were two players in a channeled herself back into the aggression. So he gave Williams time, and I’ve never seen anything Williams can never, ever recover nouncement has been made. They sweltering state, who were giving match. But he couldn’t take it. He that third violation for “verbal like it.” this night. It’s gone. And so said the conference has been their everything, while he sat at a wasn’t going to let a woman talk to abuse” and a whole game penalty, Competitive rage has long been Williams was entirely right in “postponed,” although new dates lordly height above them. Below him that way. A man, sure. Ramos and now it was 5-3, and we will Williams’s fuel, and it’s a calling him a “thief.” have not been set. him, Williams vented, “You stole a has put up with worse from a man. never know whether young Osaka situational personality. The whole [email protected] A DHS official said the agency $500,000 FOOTBALL PICK ‘EM point from me. You’re a thief.” At the French Open in 2017, really won the 2018 U.S. Open or world knows that about her, and was working to reschedule the There was absolutely nothing Ramos leveled Rafael Nadal with had it handed to her by a man who so does Ramos. She has had For more by Sally Jenkins, visit talks and “looks forward to the worthy of penalizing in the a ticky-tacky penalty over a time was going to make Serena instances where she ranted and washingtonpost.com/jenkins. conference at a later date.” The DHS official said the can- FREE TO PLAY ALL SEASON LONG cellation was due to a scheduling conflict, not diplomatic tensions. VISIT MGMNATIONALHARBOR.COM/PROMO TO LEARN MORE. PERSON MUST BE 21 AND CANNOT BE ON THE MARYLAND EXCLUSION LIST. PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY. FOR HELP VISIT MDGAMBLINGHELP.ORG OR CALL 1-800-GAMBLER. Obama administration, but EPA U.S. diplomats and Homeland still had about 15,000 employees Security officials have sought to For some when he left office. promote a partnership with Mexi- EPA officials last year launched co and the nations of Central a reorganization aimed at stream- America’s Northern Triangle — EPA staff, lining the agency, and Wheeler Guatemala, Honduras and El Sal- has struck a more measured tone vador — as a key to addressing the as he has pursued it. A former EPA gang violence and endemic pover- ‘it was time staff member himself, he praised ty that fuel illegal migration. career employees in a speech after But strains emerged with Gua- his appointment, saying his “in- temala last week after President to leave’ stincts” would be to defend their Jimmy Morales blocked the entry work and sympathizing about the of the head of a U.N.-backed com- EPA FROM A1 stress that comes with the changes mission that investigates high-lev- the agency is undergoing. el corruption. The body, known as On Thursday, he sent an agen- the CICIG, has enjoyed broad U.S. “I felt it was time to leave given cywide email announcing that re- and international support, but the irresponsible, ongoing dimin- gional offices would be redesigned Morales said he would not extend ishment of agency resources, to mirror the structure at head- its mandate beyond this year. One which has recklessly endangered quarters. of the commission’s inquiries tar- our ability to execute our responsi- As the departures continue, geted possible illegal campaign bilities as public servants,” said some EPA workers have voiced donations to Morales himself, and Ann Williamson, a scientist and worries that the administration’s his decision to oust the U.N. pro- longtime supervisor in the EPA’s refusal to fill vacancies with gram drew rebukes from U.S. law- Region 10 Seattle office. younger employees has effectively makers as well as calls to suspend She left in March after 33 years blocked the pipeline of new talent. American aid to Guatemala. at the agency, exasperated by hav- Dan Costa, 70, joined the EPA The tensions with El Salvador ing to plan how her office would DOUG KAPUSTIN FOR THE WASHINGTON POST 34 years ago as a staff scientist, and its leftist government are implement President Trump’s ABOVE: Christopher Zarba retired in February after serving on the EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board. rising through the ranks to direct more geopolitical. After El Salva- proposed cuts and weary of what He disagreed with plans to overhaul the board’s membership. BELOW: Ann Williamson left in March, its national air, climate and energy dor severed ties with Taiwan last she viewed as the administration’s exasperated by having to plan how her office would implement President Trump’s proposed cuts. research program in 2011. He month, seeking to cultivate closer refusal to make policy decisions stepped down from that post in ties to China, Washington recalled based on evidence. “I did not want budget proposal. She said officials January, and he said he spent part its diplomats in protest of the to any longer be any part of this largely shelved a project she was of the last year counseling young- move, which Salvadoran officials administration’s nonsense,” she leading that aimed to help port er researchers who saw no possi- characterized as an economic de- said. communities deal with climate bility of replicating his career cision. In a statement Friday, Acting change and other environmental path. China has been increasing its Administrator Andrew Wheeler challenges. “I had young people come into investment in ports, railways and said he was focused on right-siz- “It’s really awful to feel like you my office, close the door and say, other infrastructure projects ing the EPA, which Republicans don’t have any role to play, that ‘What should I do? Should I be across Latin America for years, have argued overreached under there’s not any interest in the work looking for a job somewhere challenging long-standing U.S. President Barack Obama, burden- you’re doing,” said Smith, 62. “My else?’ ” he said. He said he advised dominance in the region. ing industry with regulations such feeling was I could do better work one young man to “test the wa- Last year, Panama cut ties with as those focused on climate to protect the environment out- ters” given the current regime. Taiwan and turned to China, and change. side the EPA.” “These people are like termites, the Dominican Republic made the “With nearly half of our em- Troy Hottle, 32, arrived at the gnawing at the foundation.” same decision this year. ployees eligible to retire in the EPA in early 2016 as a research Multiple current and former These moves have raised con- next five years, my priority is re- fellow after getting his doctorate employees also say that the exodus cerns that the United States is cruiting and maintaining the in sustainable engineering at Ari- at the EPA has left important work ceding influence in Latin America right staff, the right people for our zona State University. He expected falling through the cracks. In Chi- to China. One theme across the mission, rather than total full- ANDREW BURTON FOR THE WASHINGTON POST to forge a career there, as others cago, for instance, a civil investiga- region has been that these Chinese time employees,” he said. like him had historically done. tor responsible for probing who is diplomatic negotiations take Congress has so far maintained Under Trump, many EPA o ces have seen stas dwindle “I really felt good about what I responsible for Superfund sites place quietly — with economic or the EPA’s budget at just more than e EPA has lost 8 percent of its workforce during the first 18 months of the was doing and who I was working left earlier this year and has yet to investment promises largely un- $8 billion, and while current pro- administration, shrinking the agency to a size not seen since the Reagan era. with,” Hottle said. be replaced, said Mike Mikulka, known — and results are an- posals could shrink that amount, Here are some of the oces most aected. But a year and a half into his president of the local union that nounced with little public debate. any cuts are likely to be modest. -15% -10 -5 0 time at the EPA, the future hiring represents EPA employees. U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador “The Trump administration -6.4% Oce of Air and Radiation prospects within the Office of Re- “You can talk all you want, but Jean Manes, in a message on Twit- comes in and goes way, way be- search and Development seemed your actions speak far louder,” he ter, described El Salvador’s deci- yond what the budget requires,” -8 Regional oces uncertain at best. The career path said, noting that Pruitt had held sion last month as “worrisome.” said Rep. David E. Price (D-N.C.), a -8.7 Oce of Water he had “spent half a lifetime” pur- up Superfund as a top priority There have been other recent senior member of the House Ap- suing, he said, no longer looked so during his tenure. “What’s hap- sources of tension between Cen- propriations Committee and -10 Oce of Research and Development appealing. pening is that the lowest priority tral American governments and whose district is home to a major -15.3 Oce of International and Tribal Aairs Last September, when he got a work just doesn’t get done. And the Trump administration. EPA research center. Price said job offer from a national environ- some of that work is really criti- Trump’s border crackdown this multiple constituents have told -15.7 Oce of Enforcement and Compliance mental consulting firm, he decid- cal.” spring that separated more than him that working at the EPA has ed to make the leap. One of the EPA divisions hard- 2,500 migrant children from their become “intolerable” after seeing Source: EPA THE WASHINGTON POST After his arrival, Pruitt quickly est hit by staff cuts is the Office of parents caused an uproar across their findings sidelined. gained a reputation for excluding Enforcement and Compliance As- the region, and Central American “It is profoundly demoralizing, payroll, asking Congress recently more than 18,000 people. career officials from key decisions surance, whose numbers dipped governments say they are still and I think, profoundly damaging to withhold pay raises for federal Christopher Zarba, who retired and showing little regard for the 15.7 percent between January 2017 working to reunite families after in terms of the agency’s mission,” workers in 2019. in February after serving as direc- agency’s own research. He also and August 2018. Several experts hundreds of mothers and fathers he said. In a few instances, Trump’s dep- tor of the EPA’s Scientific Advisory took the president’s desire to scale said that any cuts to that division were deported from the United The EPA is not alone in shed- uties are trying to fill the wide- Board, disagreed with former ad- back the EPA to heart, repeatedly have a major impact because the States without their children. The ding personnel under Trump, de- spread vacancies in their depart- ministrator Scott Pruitt’s decision boasting about how a buyout and vast majority of its budget comes Trump administration has also spite the fact that Congress passed ment’s ranks. Secretary of State last year to overhaul the board’s early retirement push last year from personnel costs rather than announced it will terminate the a $1.3 trillion budget bill in March Mike Pompeo recently began try- membership. Zarba, a 38-year EPA reduced the agency workforce. grants or other expenditures. provisional residency permits of that boosted both military and ing to staff the many senior posi- veteran, said that for many staff Other conservatives also have Granta Nakayama, who headed more than 250,000 Salvadorans, domestic spending. tions that remained empty under members, a belief in the agency’s cheered the whittling down of the office from 2005 to 2009, said Hondurans and Nicaraguans who The State Department’s total his predecessor, Rex Tillerson. mission had compensated for less- EPA’s size and reach as appropri- that it couldn’t sustain that deep a have been living and working in number of permanent employees, Meanwhile, Veterans Affairs is ea- than-ideal working conditions. ate and overdue. staffing cut without curtailing the United States under “tempo- for instance, fell 6.4 percent be- ger to hire doctors, nurses and “That is the crazy glue that “It doesn’t take a bigger bureau- some of its operations. rary protected status.” tween Trump’s inauguration and other medical professionals to fill holds the place together, the idea, cracy to clean our environment,” “If you don’t have people to While Trump continues to push March 2018, according to federal thousands of vacancies. ‘This is important. We’re making a Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), who enforce the regulations, you’re not for a border wall, Mexico’s presi- records, while the Education De- But at the EPA, it is largely a difference,’ ” he said. “And when chairs the House subcommittee going to get enforcement, and dent-elect, Andrés Manuel López partment declined 9.4 percent case of career staff members head- that crazy glue begins to fall apart, overseeing the EPA’s budget, said you’re not going to get compli- Obrador, has called for economic during that time. ed for the exits. Hundreds of em- things change.” in a statement. “A lean and effi- ance,” said Nakayama, now a part- development in Central America Part of the drop stems from a ployees accepted buyouts last That sentiment played a role in cient workforce at the EPA is a win ner at the law firm King & Spald- as the best way to address illegal government-wide hiring freeze summer, and records show that Betsy Smith’s decision to retire in for taxpayers and the environ- ing. “If you don’t have boots on the migration to the United States. Trump imposed after his inaugu- nearly a quarter of the agency’s June after 20 years with the EPA’s ment by allowing more funding to ground, it doesn’t happen.” [email protected] ration, which lasted nearly three remaining 13,758 employees are Office of Research and Develop- go towards efforts to clean our [email protected] [email protected] months. The president has contin- now eligible to retire. At its peak in ment — a department singled out water and air.” The agency also [email protected] ued to press for a leaner federal the late 1990s, the EPA employed for massive cuts in Trump’s first underwent buyouts during the [email protected] Partlow reported from Mexico City. KLMNO Democracy Dies in Darkness

www.washingtonpost.com | December 28, 2018

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