Trump USDA pick linked to Mueller probe withdraws nomination
By Brett Samuels - 11/02/17 11:13 AM EDT
Sam Clovis, a former Trump campaign official who has become entangled in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, has withdrawn his nomination for a top post in the Agriculture Department.
“We respect Mr. Clovis’s decision to withdraw his nomination," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement.
CNN reported Clovis's nomination was in danger of being pulled after it was revealed he encouraged had George Papadopoulos to set up a meeting with Russian officials whil working on the Trump campaign.
Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents about his relationship with Russians.
Clovis was nominated to be the agency's chief scientist. He was already facing scrutiny over his apparent lack of credentials for the post.
