Trump says Pruitt 'did an outstanding job' at EPA

• President Donald Trump says Scott Pruitt resigned as EPA chief on his own accord and there was "no final straw."
• Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Thursday en route to Montana that Pruitt "did an outstanding job."

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt

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President Donald Trump says Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt resigned on his own accord and there was "no final straw."

Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Thursday en route to Montana that Pruitt "did an outstanding job." Pruitt's management of the agency has prompted a series of investigations.

Trump says: "He came to me and said I have such great confidence in the administration I don't want to be a distraction."

Trump said they had been talking about Pruitt's exit for a "little while," adding "He'll go and do great things."

Trump tweeted earlier Thursday that Pruitt had resigned. He will be replaced by acting administrator Andrew Wheeler.

@realDonaldTrump tweet: I have accepted the resignation of Scott Pruitt as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Within the Agency Scott has done an outstanding job, and I will always be thankful to him for this. The Senate confirmed Deputy at EPA, Andrew Wheeler, will..

@realDonald Trump tweet: ...on Monday assume duties as the acting Administrator of the EPA. I have no doubt that Andy will continue on with our great and lasting EPA agenda. We have made tremendous progress and the future of the EPA is very bright