Recordings made by Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt are raising eyebrows because of his his Christian conservative views on a variety of issues.
The over a decade old tapes, obtained by Politico, show how the then-Oklahoma state senator described the theory of evolution as a theory, lamented activist judges, expressed pro-life sentiments and strongly condemned same-sex marriage. Many Republican — and some Democrat — voters held similar views then and do today.
Pruitt was critical of the “judicial monarchy” that he says activist judges have become in America while castigating Islam as “not so much a religion as it is a terrorist organization in many instances.”
Politico suggested Pruitt’s views are “at odds with the broader American mainstream, and in some cases with accepted scientific findings.”
Responding to Politico’s assertion that Pruitt’s scientific “skepticism” undermined his leadership of an organization that was committed to making “science-based decisions,” EPA spokesman Jahan Wilcox responded: “If you’re insinuating that a Christian should not serve in capacity as EPA administrator, that is offensive and a question that does not warrant any further attention.”
Congressional Republicans also backed Pruitt’s credentials to head a federal agency, saying his Christian faith should not disqualify him from the position.
“All of us are people of faith and obviously influenced by our faith and the role it played in our life … and continue[s] to play in our life on a daily basis. It’s part of who we are,” Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, told Politico. Barrasso is chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee.
Sen. Jim Inhofe, who is also from Oklahoma, told Politico that Pruitt’s Christianity obviously asserts itself in his life and work.
“He’s a believer. He is a Jesus guy. He believes in the principles…Anyone who denies that that has an impact isn’t being totally honest,” he said.