President-elect Donald Trump has filled his Cabinet with nominees who are openly hostile to science. He picked a budget director who questions the usefulness of government-funded research. He is now considering David Gelernter, whom The Washington Post called a fiercely anti-intellectual computer scientist, as his science adviser.

But Rick Perry, Trumps pick to lead the Department of Energy, wants to be seen differently. At his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, the former Texas governor vowed to make himself a bulwark against the sort of witch hunts some scientists fear under the incoming administration.

Im going to protect the men and women from the scientific community from anyone who would attack them, Perry said. No matter what their reason may be.