USDA researchers say they're being forced to relocate or quit because of work that undermined Trump policies

"The Agriculture Department is moving nearly all its researchers into the economic effects of climate change, trade policy and food stamps – subjects of controversial Trump administration initiatives – outside of Washington, part of what employees claim is a political crackdown on economists whose assessments have raised questions about the president’s policies," Politico reports.

Last year, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced he would move the Economic Research Service away from Washington, and in March began informing employees who would have to relocate with the agency. Some claimed the move was meant to pressure researchers into quitting rather than relocating. Of the agency's 279 employees, only 76 are being allowed to stay in Washington, Politico's Liz Crampton reports. 

"The current and former employees, all of whom requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation, say the specialties of those who are being asked to move corresponds closely to the areas where economic assessments often clash with the president’s policies, including tax policies, climate change, and the farm economy," Crampton writes.

A USDA spokesperson refused to directly address employees' allegation of political bias, but said the move was not politically motivated. Crampton reports, "Employees claim the department’s leadership, including Perdue, turned against the research service after an estimate early last year suggested that the Republican-backed tax plan would largely benefit the wealthiest farmers."