US Interior Sec. Ryan K. Zinke resigned on Dec. 15, saying that he could not justify “spending thousands of dollars defending myself and my family against false allegations.” He made his move weeks before Democrats were due to regain majority control of the House and could have launched investigations into some of Zinke’s activities that critics found questionable.
President Donald J. Trump, in a Twitter posting that day, said the administration will nominate a successor in a week. Deputy Sec. David Bernhardt will be in charge until the US Senate confirms the choice.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a public advocacy organization, said that 17 conflict of interest and other inquiries have been launched by the Office of Special Counsel, Government Accountability Office, and other federal entities since Zinke became secretary.
Zinke said he loved working for Trump and was proud of what they have accomplished together in less than two years. “It is better that the president and Interior focus on accomplishments rather than fictious allegations,” he said in a Dec. 15 Twitter posting.
“This is no kind of victory, but I’m hopeful that it is a genuine turning of the page,” responded US Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), now the House Natural Resources Committee’s ranking minority member who is in line to become chairman in January.
“Secretary Zinke’s successor has a chance to move on from an unfortunate Trump administration record of environmental mismanagement and decline. A well-managed Interior Department — one that puts the public good ahead of fossil fuel and mining industry demands — can be a boon to the entire country,” he declared.
Republicans express regrets
House and Senate Republican energy leaders expressed disappointment on hearing of Zinke’s decision. “I was disappointed to learn that Secretary Zinke is stepping down. He has been a strong partner for western states and for Alaska, in particular,” Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Lisa Murkowski (R-Alas.) said.
“After years of frustration with the Interior Department, he came in and took a very different approach: He listened to us, built a great team, and worked with us to advance our priorities,” she indicated.
“In the world of Washington politics, Zinke was an anomaly. He had a vision of a better future - an efficient department; a park system without a backlog; a staff who listened. Where others dithered, he got stuff done. We owe him a debt of gratitude,” said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah), who could switch places with Grijalva in January.
Environmental organizations generally were glad to see the secretary go, although some suggested Bernhardt will continue what Zinke started. Western Energy Alliance Pres. Kathleen Sgamma agreed.
“David Bernhardt is an extremely smart, capable leader who's been successfully implementing the policies for the last year, so the agenda won't skip a beat,” she told OGJ on Dec. 16 by email from Denver.
“We appreciate Secretary Zinke's leadership and what he's done for the American people and the economic opportunities he's helped create,” she continued. “The environmental groups may have claimed a scalp today, but it's a hollow victory that won't obstruct responsible energy development on the working landscape of the West that is Zinke's legacy.”
Contact Nick Snow at [email protected].