Politics roundup: Scott Pruitt is out as head of the Environmental Protection Agency

Pruitt is out at the Environmental Protection Agency after months of scandals. Meanwhile, NATO and Germany are in trouble in this week’s politics roundup.

Scott Pruitt resigns from the EPA

Scott Pruitt, the former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, has stepped down from his post. In his resignation letter, Pruitt claimed that “The unrelenting attacks on me personally [and on] my family, are unprecedented and have taken a sizable toll on all of us.”

Pruitt has been the subject of multiple allegations and scandals in recent months. For most people, the first scandal revolves around Pruitt’s dirt cheap DC condo, provided to him by the healthcare lobbyist whose husband had a record of lobbying the EPA itself.

Or perhaps it was his seemingly extravagant use of public funds to take private planes across the country. Or was it his tendency to ask aides to step aside from government work and complete personal tasks, such as securing a job for Pruitt’s wife?

Wherever you first came into the increasingly long list of Pruitt’s missteps, it soon became clear that Pruitt was on his way out. There is grifting, and then there is Pruitt’s blatant level of siphoning away money for personal gain and comfort. Even the support of the White House wasn’t enough to save him.

Right now, the position of EPA Administrator remains vacant. Andrew Wheeler is currently acting administrator. However, his former job as a coal lobbyist is hardly more reassuring than Pruitt’s own shaky environmental credentials.

Trouble with NATO

Relations between the U.S. and its allies have been tense as of late. It’s not hard to see why, with the United States’ renewed interest in nationalism, trade wars, and a general uptick in testy, chest-beating rhetoric.

Most recently, the target of said rhetoric appears to be the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a military alliance made up of 29 European and North American nations. The White House has issued strongly-worded letters to a few NATO countries, including Canada, Germany, and Norway.

What’s the issue? According to the letters, the United States is tired of pulling so much extra weight in terms of military defenses. Other nations should start spending more on their own defense funds, they say. The gist of these letters follows more general and longstanding complaints issuing from the White House and the President, who has consistently questioned the value of NATO.

This is all especially awkward, given that the next NATO summit is taking place next week in Brussels, Belgium. Yes, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel received one of the letters, too. So did Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, whose letter alluded to the possible withdrawal of 35,000 active-duty U.S. military members from German bases.

Poland’s judiciary in turmoil

While the United States is experiencing plenty of upset with Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s impending retirement, it’s not the only Supreme Court in the world facing some serious issues.

In Poland, Justice Malgorzata Gersdorf and others took a defiant stand against their own nation, which had shut dozens of its judges out of their positions in the nation’s courts. Many of the judges refused to recognize the move, though it’s unclear how they will hear cases when the rest of the government is so set against them.

The reigning Law and Justice Party, led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, made the move via a couple of different avenues. New regulations lowered mandatory retirement from age 70 to 65, which can cut a whopping 27 out of 72 justice in Poland’s Supreme Court. The Law and Justice Party also want to establish a disciplinary court for judges. Critics contend that such a chamber would serve only to intimidate justices who do not want to comply with the ruling party.

The rising nationalist sentiments embodied by the Law and Justice Party have many worried. As in the United States and other countries, control of the nation’s courts would be a large coup for the party and its leaders. The party’s first attempt to take power over Poland’s judiciary last year was a bit of a flop. However, this second attempt may prove to be harder to shake than its predecessor.

Angela Merkel’s complicated relationship with migration

Angela Merkel has capitulated. Whether or not that is welcome news depends in large part on how you view the increasingly fraught issue of immigration throughout Europe.

Previously, Merkel had tried to build a Germany that was welcoming to migrants. She had established herself as something of a left-leaning politician, if not entirely progressive. However, the rise of far-right politics and conservatism have pushed her in the opposite direction.

Now, in order to save her position and the tenuous cohesion of the German government, Merkel has to compromise. On Monday, Merkel agreed to establish “transit centers”, or migrant camps, along the German border. She also agreed to tighten border security between Germany and Austria.

Though immigration into Germany has gone down and immigration-related violence within the country has also dropped dramatically, the political tide still seems to be turning against them. Hard-line conservatives such as Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, have made demands that have weakened Merkel’s political party and Germany’s coalition government. Even with these most recent concessions, it is not clear how much longer Merkel will remain in power.

And, finally, your palate cleanser

Remember The Great British Baking Show? As it’s known outside of the U.S., The Great British Bake Off (the title change is thanks to a preexisting association with Pillsbury), the show established itself as a gentle way to escape the chaos of the outside world. Sure, there are challenges and, sure, some of the contestants cry when their cake gets a soggy bottom. But, there have also been many more times where everyone hugs and makes delicious pastries, with a British estate and some picturesque sheep wandering in the background.

The latest season of the show premiered on Channel 4, rather than the BBC, after the production company switched channels. That also meant the loss of judge and baker Mary Berry, along with presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins. Whether or not you want to venture into the decidedly different series 8 is up to you.

Even if you’d rather not acknowledge a Great British Baking Show without Mary, Sue, and Mel, there’s plenty to enjoy prior to series 8. After all, there are seven different seasons of the show. You can also check up on various think pieces and interviews, including a thoughtful and affection recollection at The Kitchn.

Next: Politics roundup: Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy to retire

Recently, The Stylist published an interview with popular winner Nadiya Hussain, focusing in part on how she manages a life and career along with her panic disorder. Bon Appétit has baking tips for the more practically-minded amongst you, while both NPR and Vox have affectionate reasons to watch and re-watch the show.