Group sues Trump administration for info related 'attempts to politicize NOAA'
Group sues Trump administration for info related 'attempts to politicize NOAA'
By Miranda Green - 09/16/19 03:43 PM EDT
A pro-democracy group sued the Trump administration Monday to force the release of public documents they believe will shed light on politicization of science at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Democracy Forward filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to compel the administration to release requested public documents related to the removal of Tim Gallaudet from his position as acting administrator of NOAA in February.
The group has raised concerns over Commerce Secretary Wilbur Rosss decision to remove Gallaudet from the acting post earlier this year. Gallaudet last December had told a science conference that President Trump had never asked to be briefed on climate-related matters by the agency.
NOAA is the nations leading science agency.
Democracy Forward first filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the documents in May.
The Trump administrations attacks on scientists speaking the truth are dangerous. Were suing to expose improper attempts to politicize NOAA because the public needs to be able to count on science agencies to do their jobs without political interference, Democracy Forward executive director Anne Harkavy said in a statement.
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https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/461616-group-sues-trump-administration-for-info-related-to-noaa