The senior Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee asked USDA nominee Sam Clovis in a letter why, as a co-chair of the Trump presidential campaign, he encouraged an off-the-record meeting with Russian government officials. The meeting was proposed by foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos, who pleaded guilty to lying to investigators about his repeated contacts with Russians in 2016.
The revelation that Clovis was included, even in a small way, in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election has delayed Senate action on his nomination for USDA chief scientist. A Tea Party conservative and former Iowa college professor, Clovis already was the most controversial USDA nominee in 15 years. Two Senate committee chairmen said Clovis is cooperating in the Senate Intelligence Committee review of Russian activity.
According to a court document on Monday, a campaign supervisor — later identified as Clovis — told Papadopoulos in mid-August 2016 “I would encourage you” and another foreign policy advisor to the campaign “to make the trip … if is is feasible.” Papadopoulos had offered in June to meet Foreign Ministry officials “off the record if it is in the interest of Mr. Trump and the campaign to meet specific people.” The trip did not occur.
“Why did you encourage Mr. Papadopoulos to ‘make the trip’ to meet with these Russian officials?” asked Sen. Stabenow. “Did you have other discussions or communications during the campaign with Trump campaign officials, affiliates, or staff regarding communications with Russian nationals or offiicials?”
Her letter also asked why Clovis complimented Papadopoulos, saying “great work” in March 2016 for contacts that might lead to a meeting to discuss U.S.-Russia ties under President Trump. Clovis said he would “work it through the campaign” and no commitments should be made.
Victoria Toensing, a powerhouse Washington lawyer working for Clovis, said the Iowan was “being polite” to Papadopoulos when he encourage the trip and that the campaign had a “strict rule that no person could travel abroad as a representative of the campaign,” according to the Washington Post.
Stabenow was an early opponent of the Clovis nomination and has urged the administration to withdraw it.Clovis has a doctorate in public administration but was nominated for a job that is reserved for “distinguished scientists with specialized training or significant experience in agricultural research, education, and economics.” A Tea Party conservative, Clovis was host of a political talk show and ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for Senate.
Three other Democrats on the Agriculture Committee, oppose the nomination – Pat Leahy of Vermont, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York state and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota. Two Republicans, Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Steve Daines of Montana, have endorsed Clovis. There are 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats on the committee.
“Clovis is not a scientist — yet he’d be responsible for overseeing $3 billion in taxpayer money for scientific research intended to help our agriculture industry,” said Heitkamp, who spoke against Clovis this week. “He has also said that crop insurance is unconstitutional, a dangerous and radical view that should worry every farmer and rancher in North Dakota who is trying to make ends meet after a season of terrible drought. North Dakota’s farmers and ranchers need and deserve someone in this role who will work in their best interest — and that is not Sam Clovis.”
Last week, there were hints of a Nov. 9 confirmation hearing for Clovis although there was no official announcement of it. In the wake of court documents filed on Monday, committee staff workers say they are working on arrangements but there is nothing firm yet.