Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt finally explained Wednesday why he flies first class: so he doesn’t rub shoulders with people in coach who might be security threats.

“We’ve reached the point where there’s not much civility in the marketplace and it’s created . . . some issues and the [security] detail, the level of protection is determined by the level of threat.”

Pruitt told the New Hampshire Union Leader after flying first class from Washington to Boston.

The Washington Post on Sunday detailed some of his travel expenses, including $1,641 for a first-class seat from Washington to New York City.