The director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is responsible for direction and leadership of the agency.

[6] King was picked because he was the leader of a USGS predecessor survey.

[7] Later, in 2018, during the confirmation of James Reilly at a hearing with the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the committee emphasized the fact that the appointee would have to protect scientific integrity within the USGS.

This was a new theme, stemming from concerns over other people nominated to positions by President Trump.

[8] It was also noted that Trump had taken more than a year to announce Reilley's nomination, which was noted by The Washington Post as a departure from the usual time a president would take to nominate someone for the role.