Trump science nominee admits lack of hard science credentials

President Trump’s nominee for a top position in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has admitted that he has no credentials in the hard sciences.Sam Clovis, co-chairman for Trump's former campaign co-chairman, has been nominated as USDA undersecretary for research, a position that is typically held by individuals with advanced degrees and extensive experience in agricultural sciences.In a letter to Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), the ranking member of the Senate agriculture committee, obtained by  The Washington Post, Clovis responded “none” to questions about how many graduate level courses he has taken in natural science, and any membership or leadership roles he has held in agricultural scientific organizations.He also writes that he has not received any awards, designations or academic recognition related to agricultural scientist.Clovis also confirms in the letter that he has not published any articles in scientific peer-reviewed publications or had any experience as a peer reviewer or editor of such publications.