This Is How You Confront Someone Like Scott Pruitt in Public

Politics Features Scott Pruitt
This Is How You Confront Someone Like Scott Pruitt in Public

First off, that headline is not meant to condemn anyone else who has confronted a Trump administration figure in public—I’m all for the DSA making life hell for Kirstjen Nielsen, or for a lone wolf calling Stephen Miller a fascist at a Mexican restaurant, or for the Red Hen telling Sarah Sanders to find a new place to eat. It’s just that the following confrontation, between a schoolteacher named Kristin Mink and mind-numbingly corrupt EPA head Scott Pruitt, was pretty perfect.

Mink approached Pruitt at lunch on Monday, carrying her young child, and calmly asked him to resign. Then she explained why:

“Hi, I just wanted to urge you to resign because of what you’re doing to the environment and our country,” Mink said. “This is my son. He loves animals. He loves clean air. He loves clean water. Meanwhile, you’re slashing strong fuel standards for cars and trucks, for the benefit of big corporations.”

She went on:

“We deserve to have somebody at the EPA who actually does protect our environment, someone who believes in climate change and takes it seriously for the benefit of all us, including our children,” Mink said.

“I would urge you to resign before your scandals push you out.”

According to Mink, Pruitt up and left the restaurant

Here’s what Mink said to Splinter News after the encounter:

As soon as my husband pointed out Pruitt sitting there, I knew instantly that I had to say something to him, it was just a question of what. His actions are the source of so much of my despair for my child’s future and frankly the future of humanity. He’s literally sacrificing our air and water, the well-being of coastal communities, all kinds of unique natural resources, for short-term personal gains. Buying stupid crap like a soundproof phone booth for his office and first-class plane tickets with taxpayer dollars, living in housing discounted for him by an energy group while he does favors for their clients. I honestly don’t know how he sleeps at night.

It feels very personal. That’s why I decided to introduce him to my son. Like, you are wrecking the earth THIS KID, every kid, will inherit.

Clear, concise, and it has the added bonus of depriving opposition media of the chance to get hysterical about civility. Here’s to you, Kristin Mink.

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