US Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt has met with President Donald Trump to make his case for why he should remain in his post, amid a stream of questions about his ethical standing.
Mr 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 administration officials say he also fought for his job in his meeting with the president.
While some White House aides are increasingly fed up with Mr Pruitt, and chief of staff John Kelly has advocated firing him, Mr Trump remains less certain.
Mr Pruitt is one of the most effective members of his Cabinet in undermining his predecessor's regulatory agenda, and Mr Trump enjoys his hard-charging style.
On Twitter on Friday, the president said the embattled EPA chief is doing a "great job".
"Do you believe that the Fake News Media is pushing hard on a story that I am going to replace (US Attorney General) Jeff Sessions with EPA Chief Scott Pruitt, who is doing a great job but is TOTALLY under siege?" Trump tweeted.
"So much of the media is dishonest and corrupt!"
The growing speculation about Mr Pruitt's job security stems from stories highlighting his lavish travel costs at taxpayer expense, his request for extra security, extraordinary pay raises for close aides, and a sweetheart deal he received for renting an apartment owned by the wife of a lobbyist who had business before the agency.
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