Scott Pruitt resigns as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator

President Donald Trump says he has accepted the resignation of scandal-plagued Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, but insists there was no "final straw".

Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Thursday en route to Montana that Pruitt "did an outstanding job" and resigned of his own accord.

Pruitt had become a constant source of embarrassment to a president who had entered Washington promising to "Drain the Swamp."

Pruitt has faced an array of ethical questions about his travel spending, security costs, dealings with industry lobbyists and misuse of government resources.

He had denied wrongdoing in the face of multiple congressional and oversight inquiries.

Despite the scandals, Trump has been approving of Pruitt's efforts to reduce regulations that the administration claims curb business growth.

Activists have argued those cuts have endangered the environment.

Trump said he had been discussing Pruitt's exit for a "little while".

The president expressed confidence he would go on to do "great things".

"He came to me and said I have such great confidence in the administration I don't want to be a distraction," he said.

Pruitt will be replaced by acting administrator Andrew Wheeler.