Late on Friday, just hours after President Trump hinted that he’d have a decision regarding Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price, Price resigned his position. The resignation came after the Senate’s latest failure to pass health care reform, as well as Price’s ensnarement in a personal scandal in which he utilized government jets for private travel, costing $1,000,000 to taxpayers. Price is the second Trump cabinet member caught attempting to use government airplanes for private travel — earlier this year, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin was denied permission to use government jets for his honey in France, Italy, and Scotland.
But Price flew too close to the sun.
Price had been in the doghouse for weeks. He had Congressional supporters, but the administration felt humiliated, and Trump was reportedly “mad as hell.” President Trump can abide a wide variety of sins, but he can’t abide looking foolish — and he shouldn’t have. Price had to go; even Price’s statement that he would repay the cost for his seat but not the flights themselves appeared to shortchange taxpayers. The next man in the crosshairs: EPA chair Scott Pruitt, who has apparently used government air travel to the tune of $58,000.
The White House stated, “Secretary of Health and Human Services Thomas Price offered his resignation earlier today and the President accepted.”