Rudhdi Karnik, rudhdi.karnik@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON D.C.-- Today, the AP reported that Sam Clovis, Donald Trump’s nominee for the Department of Agriculture’s Chief Science Adviser decided to withdraw his nomination.
This week, after the breaking news of former Trump foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos pleading guilty to lying to the FBI about contacts with Russia, it was revealed that Sam Clovis was the person who encouraged Papadopoulos to take the meeting with the Russians. Clovis faced significant backlash since he was first nominated for his homophobic remarks, his climate change denialism, and for not being a scientist.
In response, Sierra Club Legislative Director Melinda Pierce released the following statement:
“This might be the one wise decision that Clovis has made in his political career, since he was grossly unqualified and unfit for the position of Chief Science Adviser to the Department of Agriculture. Only a scientist who will put science and American families before special interests and their dirty profits is right for the job.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.