House Democrat chases Trump crony out of UDSA
The effort to fill the top Agriculture Department civil rights post got a setback this week with the resignation of Naomi C. Earp, the nominee for the position who has been serving as deputy assistant secretary for civil rights.
Earp, chairwoman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under President George W. Bush, has been under fire from Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, D-Ohio, chairwoman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight and Department Operations.
Fudge has said Earp’s managerial style caused discord and discouraged USDA employees and those affected by the department’s programs from filing complaints of discrimination or harassment.
“Whoever next fills this important role must understand the importance of strong civil rights enforcement to ensure everyone who looks to USDA to stand up for them can trust that will happen,” Fudge said in a statement Thursday after learning of Earp’s resignation.
The department said Friday that Earp will remain at USDA until Jan. 31 and that it “will undertake a careful and thorough search for new leadership for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.” It said Earp will not seek renomination for the assistant secretary position.
https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/usda-official-to-resign-leaving-civil-rights-post-vacant
