Protesters disrupted the Senate testimony of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acting administrator Andrew Wheeler on Wednesday in a similar fashion to past protests against former EPA administrator Scott Pruitt.

Wheeler testified in front of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works less than a month after he took control of the EPA following Pruitt’s July 5 resignation. Wheeler’s testimony marks the first time he has appeared before Congress since taking over the agency.

Protesters held up signs with a picture of Wheeler’s face and the description “Pruitt Puppet.” After the signs were held up, the hearing was stopped and security guards escorted the protesters out of the room.

Protesters holding #PruittPuppet signs at @EPAAWheeler hearing before the Senate #EPW committee. He’s facing tough questions. But he’s no Scott Pruitt. His corruption is worse. #WheelerDealer pic.twitter.com/5QbF3Q5Tr4 — Sarah E. Towne, MPA (@setowne) August 1, 2018

Similar protests disrupted congressional hearings with Pruitt. Protesters held up signs behind Pruitt during an April 26 hearing that said “Mr. Corruption.” A similar incident happened at a May 16 hearing when protesters held signs behind Pruitt that read “Fire Him.”

The protests came after months of accusations that Pruitt violated ethics rules, wasted taxpayer money and resources and catered unfairly to industry. Before Pruitt’s resignation, environmental groups were ramping up pressure and expending resources to dig up damaging information on Wheeler, Pruitt’s most likely replacement at the time. (RELATED: Pruitt Hasn’t Resigned And Activists Are Already Looking For Dirt On His Potential Replacements)

The environmental group National Resources Defense Council claimed Wheeler might be “more dangerous” than Pruitt. The group announced its intent to target Wheeler the same day Pruitt resigned.

Now that Scott Pruitt has resigned from his EPA post, a former coal-industry lobbyist, Andrew Wheeler, will take his place. Make no mistake: we’ll fight Wheeler’s pollution agenda with the same vigor as we did Pruitt’s. https://t.co/X6skbL1TVr — NRDC

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