The number of reviews into the management of Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt has reached double digits. Those investigations — by auditors, congressional committees and others — are focusing on a number of areas: taxpayer-funded trips around the country and the world, including Italy and Morocco; the use of an around-the-clock security detail; the renting of a Capitol Hill condo from a lobbyist’s wife for $50 a night; email use; approaches to hiring and promoting staffers; and other stuff.

In the midst of all this, don’t forget about his treatment of the media.

Just this morning, the Associated Press reported that its reporter along with reps from CNN and E&E News were barred from a pivotal summit at the EPA building regarding PFAS, man-made chemicals whose exposure to humans can “lead to adverse … health effects.” Jahan Wilcox told the AP that there was no space for these news organizations at the event. “Guards barred an AP reporter from passing through a security checkpoint inside the building,” reported the AP. “When the reporter asked to speak to an EPA public-affairs person, the security guards grabbed the reporter by the shoulders and shoved her forcibly out of the EPA building.”

Sally Buzbee, the executive editor of the AP, issued a statement on the matter: “The Environmental Protection Agency’s selective barring of news organizations, including the AP, from covering today’s meeting is alarming and a direct threat to the public’s right to know about what is happening inside their government. It is particularly distressing that any journalist trying to cover an event in the public interest would be forcibly removed.”

CNN, meanwhile, issued this statement from a spokesperson:

Today, CNN was turned away from covering the PFAS National Leadership Summit at the EPA after multiple attempts to attend. While several news organizations were permitted, the EPA selectively excluded CNN and other media outlets. We understand the importance of an open and free press and we hope the EPA does, too.

Cyril Zaneski, executive editor of E&E News, told the Erik Wemple Blog, “Access is important and this is not unusual in the current administration, not only at the EPA but also Interior.” Cherry-picking certain news organizations to attend an event happens occasionally, continued Zaneski. Corbin Hiar, a public health reporter for E&E, tells this blog that he attempted on Monday to secure a guarantee of access from the EPA press office. He failed to do so. On Tuesday morning, he showed up at the EPA building at around 7:45 a.m., only to find that the AP reporter had already been “forcibly removed.” Upon entering, Hiar discovered that security guards had been provided a list of outlets/reporters who were to be allowed in. He wasn’t on it.

About 10 news outlets were allowed in, Hiar was told, and the agency provided a live stream for those excluded. “Our reporters will find a way around it,” said Zaneski.

A tweet from Politico reporter Emily Holden raised questions about the space crunch:

Washington Post reporter Brady Dennis added more:

The AP issued an updated statement on the day’s events: “We are pleased that the EPA has reconsidered its decision and will now allow AP to attend the remainder of today’s meeting. The AP looks forward to informing the public of the important discussions at the water contaminants summit this afternoon.”

When it comes to the EPA and its treatment of the media, there’s too much context. Think back to the times that:

In all, a casual and gratuitous nastiness from the EPA press office toward the media.