Edward Scott Pruitt (born May 9, 1968, in Danville, Kentucky) is an American attorney, lobbyist, and Republican politician. He rose to prominence in Oklahoma politics, serving as the state's Attorney General from 2011 to 2017, where he pursued numerous lawsuits against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal regulations, often aligning with industry interests in energy and fossil fuels. In 2017, President Donald Trump appointed him as the 14th Administrator of the EPA, a position he held from February 17, 2017, to July 9, 2018. During his tenure, Pruitt was known for a strong deregulatory stance on the environment, overseeing the rollback of over 20 major environmental regulations, including those on carbon emissions and chemical safety, and challenging Obama-era environmental policies on issues like clean power plans and water protections. He has publicly denied the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change, advocating for market-based solutions instead. Pruitt's EPA leadership was overshadowed by numerous scandals and ethical controversies, leading to his resignation amid at least 14 federal investigations. These included allegations of lavish spending on first-class travel, security details costing over $3 million, and installing a $43,000 soundproof phone booth in his office. He was accused of conflicts of interest, such as steering contracts to allies and demoting or firing EPA scientists who opposed his policies. Post-EPA, Pruitt joined lobbying firms and conservative think tanks, continuing his influence in energy policy circles. His career exemplifies the intersection of politics, industry lobbying, and environmental deregulation, with ties to fossil fuel interests like Koch Industries.