Key EPA officials resign, staff complains of political pressure.(Environmental Protection Agency)

WASHINGTON, DC -- In the latest of a series of resignations that suggest discontent within the agency, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) chief enforcement officer, John Peter Suarez, announced on January 5 that he would leave office within the month.

The EPA's assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance said he is resigning to take a job as general counsel to a division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Suarez was appointed by former EPA Administrator Christine Whitman, who resigned in May and was thought to have been at odds with some Bush administration officials, though she has denied any disagreement.

Environmentalists point …