The Washington Post reported Sunday that President Donald Trump will move to disband a government committee that advises on climate change.
And liberals are not happy.
The skinny
The panel, aptly named, "Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment," is a 15-member panel comprised of people from different backgrounds whose purpose was to simplify the findings of the National Climate Assessment for people in and out of the government, according to The Hill.
Ben Friedman, acting administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, informed the committee on Friday that its charter would not be renewed, according to the Washington Post.
The National Climate Assessment was intended to be updated and released every four years, but only three reports have been released since 1990. The next report was due to be released next year.
Former President Barack Obama established the committee in 2015.
The controversy
There was controversy surrounding the panel earlier this month after the New York Times reported that next year's report had been leaked to them. However, the reported wasn't leaked and it had been publicly available for months.
The Times seized on the opportunity to posture the Trump administration in a negative light because the report concluded that human activities were causing a rise in global temperatures. The Times' report quoted scientists who suggested the Trump administration was trying to suppress the report. However, that was proven false.
The outrage
Liberals and progressives were quick to voice their outrage with Trump over his decision.
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray told the Post that the move is "an example of the president not leading, and the president stepping away from reality."
Others shared their disdain on social media:
Deliberate ignorance is the reward to the fossil fuel industry for its funding of Republicans. https://t.co/3Kgwokq9dm
— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) August 20, 2017
The consolidation of power continues. As does the blatant disregard for science and the environment. https://t.co/YgpnEGQyOQ
— Amy Siskind (@Amy_Siskind) August 20, 2017
Can someone please give him the wrong glasses tomorrow to stare into the sun?
— Dara Cohen (@daracohen) August 20, 2017
Of course he did. When given the choice between right and wrong he chooses wrong every time.
— Amy (@SeattleHypno) August 20, 2017
Future historians will weep and rage, if there are any: Trump disbands federal advisory committee on climate change. https://t.co/JcVPcEEZhu
— Steve Silberman (@stevesilberman) August 20, 2017
An endless spew of destructive idiocy. https://t.co/uDxe2ayXvs— C.A.S. Mazzacano (@C.A.S. Mazzacano) 1503248430.0
Q: Who could possibly be stupider at this point? A Trump supporter or a Climate Change denier? A: It's a tie, they are both the same people.
— chaplinlives (@chaplinlives) August 20, 2017
Of course. They will destroy planet for their own greed, but they will die right along with everyone else when it cant support human life
— Deborah (@debi66) August 20, 2017
Of course. They will destroy planet for their own greed, but they will die right along with everyone else when it cant support human life
— Deborah (@debi66) August 20, 2017
Either way, it appears Trump is making good on his promise to downsize the scope of the federal government. Well, at least a little.