U.S. Geological Survey scientists need permission from the Department of the Interior before they agree to most interviews with reporters under a new Trump administration protocol, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Department of the Interior will also be able to decline interview requests. USGS employees told the Times that this will delay their ability to answer reporter questions and is a significant change. A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior told newspaper via email that “the characterization that there is any new policy or that it for some reason targets scientists is completely false.” She said the organization was just asking scientists to follow Obama-era guidelines. The guidelines say that the department must be notified, but does not require scientists to get permission ahead of interviews.
