Trump Questionnaire: Planned Retaliation Against Energy Dept. Staff?

"Among the queries included in a questionnaire sent by President-elect Donald Trump's transition team to workers at the Department of Energy is a request for an inventory of all agency employees or contractors who attended meetings or conferences on climate change. Another question asks for a current list of professional society memberships of any lab staff.

The 74-point questionnaire has raised fears among civil rights lawyers specializing in federal worker whistleblower protections, who say the incoming administration is at a minimum trying to influence or limit the research at the Department of Energy. And at worst, attempting to target employees with views that run counter to the president-elect.

The questionnaire also asks employees for a listing of when the climate change meetings took place, and to provide any materials distributed to them "or materials created by Department employees or contractors in anticipation of or as a result of those meetings.""

Brakkton Booker reports for NPR December 10, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Trump Team Memo Hints at Big Shake-Up of U.S. Energy Policy" (Bloomberg)

"Trump Transition Team For Energy Department Seeks Names Of Employees Involved In Climate Meetings" (Washington Post)