Trump says he will name EPA's acting chief to post permanently

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he will name the Environmental Protection Agency's acting head, Andrew Wheeler, to the post permanently.

Trump made the announcement almost in passing today at a White House ceremony for Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees.

The president singled out Wheeler in the audience at the ceremony, adding Wheeler "is going to be made permanent" at EPA.

Wheeler, an Ohio native, has served as the EPA's acting head since July, when then-EPA administrator Scott Pruitt resigned amid ethics scandals.

A former lobbyist for coal and other industries, Wheeler has a reputation as a lower-profile, methodical steward of the Trump administration's deregulatory mission. Trump said Wheeler was doing a "fantastic job."