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WASHINGTON — A year before President Trump named Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency, where he quickly became a presidential favorite by gutting pollution rules and slashing staff, Mr. Pruitt, the former Oklahoma attorney general, assailed Mr. Trump on a talk radio show, saying he would be “abusive to the Constitution.”

In February 2016, speaking on the Pat Campbell Show, a news show broadcast out of Tulsa, Mr. Pruitt was asked if he was a Trump supporter. Mr. Pruitt responded, “No. No, He’s the very ... and you say that Pat but do you know what’s interesting? I believe that Donald Trump in the White House would be more abusive to the Constitution than Barack Obama — and that’s saying a lot.”

“I really believe he would use a blunt instrument. This president at least tries to nuance his unlawfulness,” Mr. Pruitt said. “Donald Trump has said many, many times they want ... I’ll do this I’ll do that. And those things that he’s mentioned cannot be done. I think executive orders with Donald Trump would be a very blunt instrument with respect to the Constitution.”