EPA Chief Scott Pruitt's four-day trip to Morocco last December was puzzling from the start.
Environmental Protection Agency officials didn't tell reporters about the excursion until after Pruitt had returned. And their initial explanation — that Pruitt was touting the benefits of U.S. liquefied natural gas — raised questions because the issue falls outside the EPA's jurisdiction.
Now, Democrats are demanding more details about the role of a lobbyist in planning Pruitt's jaunt to Morocco. The lobbyist, Richard Smotkin, accompanied Pruitt for part of the trip, helped facilitate meetings during it and, four months later, won a $40,000-a-month contract with the Moroccan government.