The Center for American Progress documented that Trump administration and congressional Republican attacks on wind power placed over 17,000 offshore jobs at risk, with 99 renewable energy projects delayed or canceled and 23 projects laying off staff. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum declared offshore …
Donald TrumpDoug BurgumOrstedDepartment of Interiorclimate-sabotagerenewable-energyeconomic-harmfossil-fuel-corruptionjob-destruction
Interior Inspector General Mark Greenblatt, who was originally appointed by Trump in his first term, told CBS News he was “stunned” by his Friday night firing on January 24, 2025. Greenblatt said “It’s very bizarre” and questioned the motives, offering two …
Mark Greenblatt (Interior Department IG)CBS NewsDonald TrumpDepartment of Interiorinspector-generalmediawatchdogsfriday-night-massacreinterior-department+1 more
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum was confirmed by the Senate in a 79-18 vote, signing an ethics agreement to divest from oil and gas interests within 90 days of confirmation. Despite pledging to address conflicts of interest, Burgum has a history of voting on issues related to companies with his …
doug-burgumDepartment of Interiorcontinental-resourcesMicrosoftu-s-office-of-government-ethicsdoug-burguminterior-departmentoil-gas-leasescontinental-resourcesconflict-of-interest+5 more
Trump declared a national energy emergency on January 20, 2025, stating “We will drill, baby, drill” during inauguration. The order enables emergency permitting procedures, expedites fossil fuel infrastructure, and directs rescinding 2021-2025 environmental regulations. A companion order …
Donald TrumpWhite HouseDepartment of InteriorUS Army Corps of EngineersSenator Lisa Murkowskiexecutive-orderenergy-emergencyemergency-powersregulatory-bypasspermitting+5 more
Senate confirmed David Bernhardt as Interior Secretary despite him having the most
conflicts of interest of any Trump Cabinet nominee - 27 former clients and employers
actively lobbying the Interior Department. A former oil and gas lobbyist, Bernhardt
had so many potential conflicts he literally …
David BernhardtDonald TrumpDepartment of InteriorHalliburtonWestlands Water Districtregulatory-captureconflict-of-interestoil-and-gasinterior-departmentrevolving-door+2 more
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke resigned while under at least 18 federal investigations
for corruption, conflicts of interest, and ethics violations. Scandals included:
involvement in a Montana land deal benefiting himself and Halliburton chairman,
using wildfire funds for personal travel, chartered …
Ryan ZinkeDonald TrumpDepartment of InteriorDavid Bernhardtcorruptioninterior-departmentpublic-landsethics-violationcabinet-scandal+2 more
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who rode a horse to his first day while claiming to be like Teddy Roosevelt, opened 10 million acres of public lands to oil and gas drilling while his wife ran a consulting firm doing business with those seeking Interior Department approval. Zinke shrunk Bears Ears …
Ryan ZinkeDavid BernhardtDepartment of InteriorHalliburtonOil Industrypublic-landsregulatory-captureenvironmental-destructioncorruptionextraction-industry
Interior Secretary James Watt announces his resignation after describing a department panel as having “a black, a woman, two Jews and a cripple,” mocking affirmative action. Watt resigns within three weeks of the September comments amid bipartisan condemnation. His controversial 33-month …
James WattRonald ReaganDepartment of InteriorBeach Boysinterior-departmentenvironmental-deregulationracismregulatory-capturepublic-lands
The Reagan administration launches systematic dismantling of environmental protections through regulatory capture: appointing industry advocates to lead EPA and Interior, slashing enforcement budgets, weakening Clean Air and Water Act regulations, and opening public lands to resource extraction. EPA …
Ronald ReaganAnne GorsuchJames WattEnvironmental Protection AgencyDepartment of Interiorenvironmental-deregulationeparegulatory-capturereaganpublic-health