Trump Names Former 2024 Rival Doug Burgum as Interior Secretary

Nov 15, 2024, 02:02 AM

President-elect Donald Trump announced on November 15, 2024, at an event at Mar-a-Lago that he intends to nominate North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as Secretary of the Interior. Burgum, a wealthy tech entrepreneur and former 2024 presidential rival, has served two terms as governor. The Department of the Interior manages 500 million acres of federal land, overseeing public lands, natural resources, and wildlife conservation. Trump's selection of Burgum, whom he described as "fantastic," signals a potential shift in federal land and energy policy, given North Dakota's significant involvement in the oil and gas industry. Trump mentioned he planned to announce the appointment the following day but decided to reveal it during the event instead.