Clovis withdraws nomination for USDA’s top scientist post
Official linked to policy adviser in Russia probe.
The U.S. WASHINGTON — Department of Agriculture’s chief scientist nominee, Sam Clovis withdrew his name from consideration Wednesday amid revelations that he was among top officials on the Trump campaign who was aware of efforts by foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos to broker a relationship between the campaign and Russian officials.
Court documents unsealed Monday revealed that Papadopoulos pleaded guilty in earlyOctober tomaking false statement to FBI investigators about his contacts with foreigners claiming to have high-level Russian connections. In August 2016, Clovis encouraged Papadopoulos to organize an “off the record” meeting with Russian officials, according to court documents. “I would encourage you” and another foreign policy adviser to the campaign to “make the trip, if it is feasible,” Cloviswrote. The meeting did not ultimately take place.
In a letter to the president Wednesday, Clovis explained that he did not think he could get a fair consideration from the Senate, which was slated to hold a hearing on his appointment on Nov. 9.
“The political climate inside Washington has made it impossible for me to receive balanced and fair consideration for this position,” wrote Clovis, who currentlyserves asUSDA’s senior White House adviser. “The relentless assaults on you and your teamseemtobe a blood sport that only increases with intensity each day.”
Clovis confirmed in an Oct. 17 letter obtained by The Washington Post that he has no academic credentials in either science or agriculture.
Clovis, who possesses a bachelor’s degree in political science, anMBAdegreeanda doctorate in public administration, repeatedly acknowledged his lack of background in the hard sciences when responding to Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.
“Please list all graduate level courses you have taken in natural science,” the second of 10 questions requested. “None,” Clovis replied. “Please list all membership and leadership roles you have held within any agricultural scientific, agricultural education, or agricultural economic organizations,” the third question read.
“None,” Clovis replied. Asked about his agriculture research experience, Clovis replied, “”I bring 17 years of agriculture experience integrated into both undergraduate- and graduate-level courses throughout my teaching career as reflected in my curriculum vitae aswell as the Committee’s questionnaire.” And having twice run for statewide office, he added that “one cannot be a credible candidate in that state without significant agricultural experience and knowledge.”
Clovis’ attorney, Victoria Toensing, told The Washington Post onMonday that her client “always vigorously opposed anyRussian trip for Donald Trump and/or the campaign.” She described his responses to Papadopoulos as a courtesy by “a polite gentleman from Iowa .”
OnThursday WhiteHouse press secretary SarahHuckabee Sanders confirmed that Trump had accepted Clovis’ request, saying, “We respect Mr. Clovis’s decision to withdraw his nomination.”
CNN first reported Clovis’ decision Thursday morning.
The professor and conservative radio talk show host from Iowa, who served as national co-chair of Trump’s campaign, had come under intense fire since Papadopoulos’s guilty pleawas filed this week.