"Because of the critical needs to fill positions on the [protective security detail], we are asking for an exception to the external hiring freeze and permission to allow exemption to hire up [redacted] . . . because we are unable to provide the level of support described above," Starfield wrote. Continuing to rely on criminal investigators to backstop Pruitt's security contingent "is pulling them away from their core mission of investigating environmental crimes in furtherance of the Agency's mission to protect public health and the environment," he added.