Trump’s pick for agriculture chief scientist bows out
By 
Rebecca Trager2017-11-10T09:09:00
Sam Clovis, the nominee for the US agriculture department’s head scientist post, withdraws to the relief of scientists and science groups
President Trump’s pick to serve as the chief scientist and undersecretary for research at the US Department of Agriculture, Sam Clovis, withdrew himself from consideration earlier this month, much to the delight of the science community. The candidate – former talk radio host and co-chair of Trump 2016 presidential election campaign – had been heavily criticised for his lack of scientific qualifications, rejection of the scientific consensus on global climate change, and purported history of racist and homophobic comments. Last month, more than 3000 scientists and researchers wrote to the Senate agriculture committee that is charged with okaying Clovis before Senate approval and urged its members to reject the candidate.