The Latest: Pruitt fights for job in meeting with Trump

A sign criticizing Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt is seen posted on the base of a utility pole on the corner of H Street NW and 13 Street NW in Washington, Friday, April 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A sign criticizing Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt is seen posted on the base of a utility pole on the corner of H Street NW and 13 Street NW in Washington, Friday, April 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Trump and his Environmental Protection Agency chief, Scott Pruitt (all times local):

4:30 p.m.

Embattled Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt has met with President Donald Trump to lay out his case for why he should remain in his post.

Pruitt visited the White House on Friday to discuss his agency’s recent steps to roll back Obama-era fuel efficiency standards for cars.

But according to two administration officials, he also fought for his job in his meeting with the president.

While White House aides are increasingly fed up with Pruitt, and chief of staff John Kelly has advocated firing him, Trump remains less certain.

Pruitt is one of the most effective members of Trump’s Cabinet in undermining his predecessor’s regulatory agenda, and Trump enjoys his hard-charging style.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive internal discussions.

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3:05 p.m.

The White House is conducting a review of ethical questions surrounding Scott Pruitt, the head of Environmental Protection Agency.

But press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Friday the president believes Pruitt has “done a good job at ... carrying out the goals of the EPA.”

A senior White House official adds that Trump was unwilling to fire Pruitt, though Pruitt has lost support of many in the West Wing. The official was not authorized to discuss personnel matters and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Pruitt has come under scrutiny for the cheap rental rate he received on a condo connected to a fossil fuels industry lobbyist as well as his travel and big raises for two aides.

But Pruitt has support from a number of influential conservatives lobbying Trump to keep him on.

—By Jonathan Lemire

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1:54 p.m.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says the president’s Environmental Protection Agency administrator must go.

Pelosi says Scott Pruitt’s tenure has been “part of the Trump administration’s culture of corruption, cronyism and incompetence.” The top Democrat says in a statement, “Pruitt must resign.”

Pruitt is under fire for, among other things, news that he was living in a Capitol Hill condo owned by the wife of a lobbyist for the fossil fuel industry, and the big pay hikes that two top aides were given. He has denied knowing about the pay raises and says he did nothing wrong.

President Donald Trump told reporters Thursday he has faith in Pruitt but is reviewing the situation. Administration aides say it’s unclear how long Pruitt can stay on the job.