Trump nominates Bernhardt as Interior deputy secretary

US President Donald Trump has nominated David L. Bernhardt as deputy secretary of the Department of the Interior. Bernhardt has worked at Interior as its highest ranking legal officer and in other capacities during George W. Bush’s presidency. In that capacity, Bernhardt will be the department’s chief operating officer, once the US Senate confirms his nomination.

“[His] extensive experience serving under former Interior Secs. [Gale] Norton and [Dirk A.] Kempthorne and his esteemed legal career is exactly what is needed to help streamline government and make the Interior and our public lands work for the American economy,” Sec. Ryan Zinke said when Bernhardt’s selection was announced.

He held several positions at DOI during 2001-09 in addition to solicitor, including deputy solicitor, deputy chief of staff and counselor to the secretary, congressional and legislative affairs director, and counselor to the secretary. Currently, Bernhardt chairs the natural resource law practice at Brownstein, Hyatt Farber & Schreck LLP’s Washington, DC, office.

Bush also appointed Bernhardt to lead the International Boundary Commission between the US and Canada where he was responsible, along with his Canadian counterpart, for maintaining the 5,525-mile international boundary between the two nations.

Contact Nick Snow at [email protected].