President-elect Donald Trump has appointed North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to head the U.S. Interior Department, signaling a sharp pivot towards expanding oil and gas drilling on federal lands and waters. Burgum, 68, will take the reins of the department in the upcoming administration, which is expected to challenge the conservation-focused policies of President Joe Biden’s current Interior Secretary, Deb Haaland.
The announcement was made at a gala for the America First Policy Institute, held at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, where the president-elect lauded Burgum’s experience and ties to the energy sector. Burgum has long maintained close connections with fossil fuel companies and played a key role in facilitating donations from oil executives to support Trump’s campaign.
A notable figure in the Republican Party, Burgum’s selection is somewhat unusual. While most Interior secretaries have historically hailed from Western states rich in federal public lands, North Dakota boasts only 4% federal ownership. Burgum’s background as an entrepreneur and his strong support for energy development, including oil and gas extraction, signals a shift from the Biden administration’s focus on environmental conservation and renewable energy.
Burgum’s appointment is expected to reverse many of the policies enacted by Haaland, who became the first Indigenous Cabinet member in U.S. history. Under Haaland’s leadership, the Interior Department introduced a groundbreaking rule allowing public lands to be leased not only for drilling but for conservation efforts, a move praised by environmentalists. Haaland’s actions come as part of a broader effort to address climate change and protect natural resources.
Burgum, a former tech entrepreneur who sold his software company to Microsoft for $1.1 billion, entered politics with an anti-establishment message. Elected Governor of North Dakota in 2016, Burgum’s platform emphasized fiscal conservatism, energy independence, and tax reform. He briefly ran for president in 2024 before dropping out of the Republican primary race in December.
In his endorsement of Burgum’s new role, Trump expressed confidence in the governor’s leadership, stating, “He’s going to head the Department of the Interior, and it’s going to be fantastic. We’re going to do things with energy and with land that are going to be incredible.” A formal announcement of Burgum’s appointment is expected on Friday.
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