Democrats are calling for an investigation into Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke for political wrongdoing as calls for the ouster of President Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency chief reached a fever pitch Friday.
Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, sent a letter Thursday night to the U.S. Office of the Special Counsel asking for an investigation into whether Zinke broke the Hatch Act and other laws when he traveled to Florida to announce he would be exempting the state from Trump’s offshore drilling plans.
Zinke held a press conference with Republican Gov. Rick Scott of the Sunshine State to make the announcement. Scott had protested Zinke’s original announcement about expanding drilling off the Sunshine State’s coasts.
But critics say the entire process was staged to improve Scott’s chances of winning a Senate seat.
The Hatch Act limits government officials from participating in political activities. Grijalva and Democrats on the committee want the special counsel to probe whether Zinke violated the law if the press conference was a political stunt to improve Scott’s chances.
The story was first reported by CNN Friday. The Interior Department told the news network that ethics officials heavily vet all of Zinke’s activities.
“The secretary works closely with career ethics officials and lawyers at all times to ensure that his conduct complies completely with all laws, rules, and regulations,” said spokeswoman Faith Vander Voort with the agency.
The call for the investigation into Zinke comes amid a flurry of scandalous reports involving EPA Administrator Scot Pruitt, including large pay raises to select employees, a questionable condo rental agreement on Capitol Hill, expensive travel and security requests, and tens of thousands of dollars to construct a soundproof booth and other security modifications to his office.
The White House is investigating Pruitt, with chief of staff John Kelly reportedly advising Trump to fire him.
