Last week, when President-elect Donald Trump's transition team asked the Energy Department for the names of everyone who had worked on climate change (which Trump has repeatedly called a "hoax"), scientists were rightfully worried it could be the start of a witch-hunt.

Now the Trump team is asking the State Department for a list of programs and jobs aimed at promoting gender equality. Unsurprisingly, equality-minded staffers at State are concerned.

As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton worked to promote gender equality, including creating a position for ambassador at large of global women's issues. She worked with female entrepreneurs in the developing world on projects related to health and technology, and extended protections and benefits to same-sex partners of American diplomats.

Given Trump's frequent avowals to "lock up" Clinton once he became president, State Department workers are worried the memo means Trump intends to undo much of her work related to gender.

“The transition team should clarify their intent,” said Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire.

“I can promise that if the next administration intends to roll back programs designed to lift women up, it will very quickly meet stiff opposition in the Senate.”

The letter asked State Department employees to outline “existing programs and activities to promote gender equality, such as ending gender-based violence, promoting women’s participation in economic and political spheres, entrepreneurship, etc," and requested a list of positions “whose primary functions are to promote such issues."

Although the memo didn't specifically refer to LGBT-related programming, the Times reports that the appearance of the phrase "gender-related staffing" had raised eyebrows that the transition team also intends to make a list of programs covering sexual orientation and gender identity.

On Friday morning, the transition team issued a statement insisting, "President-elect Trump will ensure the rights of women across the world are valued and protected."

In a statement, they insisted they only asked about existing programs at the State department that helps foster gender equality as a way of "finding ways to improve them."

We're taking that with a healthy dose of skepticism.