Trump's nominee for chief scientist of the USDA once claimed a UFO charged him at 5,000 miles per hour

Sam Clovis.
(Image credit: AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

President Trump's nominee for chief scientist of the Department of Agriculture might seem like an odd pick for the job. After all, the position requires a "distinguished [scientist] with specialized training or significant experience in agricultural research, education, and economics," and Trump's pick — radio host Sam Clovis — might not make the cut, The Daily Beast reports.

Plus there is the fact that Clovis once claimed he was charged by a UFO, as The Des Moines Register recounts:

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.