Trump transition team disavows questionnaire sent last week to Energy Dept. after Senator Markey denounced inquiry requesting names of staff working on climate and clean energy issues

Washington (December 14, 2016) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and chair of the Senate Climate Clearinghouse, released the following statement today after President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team disavowed the questionnaire sent last week to the Department of Energy (DOE) requesting a list of employees and contractors who helped develop the current administration’s energy and climate policies. Senator Markey sent a letter last week denouncing the effort, calling it “tantamount to an illegal modern-day political witch hunt”. 

“The Trump transition team was right to abandon its effort to conduct a politically-motivated witch hunt at the Department of Energy, and President-elect Trump should commit to never attempt this type of inquisition at any other federal agency ever again” said Senator Markey.“This kind of inquiry is illegal and undermines the commitment to a peaceful transition of power by the Trump administration. No federal civil servant should be punished or fear that they may show up on a political ‘hit list’ simply for doing their jobs, even if the new administration disagrees with current policies and programs. I will continue to defend the federal workforce ‎at the Department of Energy and all other federal agencies so that they can continue to do the vital work necessary for an effective government that helps all Americans.”

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