North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, former presidential hopeful, tapped to lead the Department of the Interior in the upcoming Trump administration

President-elect Donald Trump has officially announced that he has chosen North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to head the Department of the Interior, a key role overseeing federal land management, natural resources, and energy policy. The announcement was made during his speech at the America First Policy Institute Gala at his Mar-a-Lago club on Thursday evening.

Trump shared his excitement about the nomination, describing Burgum as the ideal candidate to reform the department and reduce regulatory waste and inefficiency. “He’s going to be fantastic,” Trump stated, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to cleaning out “corrupt, broken, and failing bureaucracies” within the federal government. He also referred to his broader agenda to halt “child sexual mutilation,” a controversial remark that drew attention to his administration’s culture wars focus.

Burgum, a self-made millionaire and former software company CEO, has served as governor of North Dakota for two terms. He briefly campaigned for the Republican presidential nomination in 2023, emphasizing energy independence and resource management as core issues. While he did not secure a spot in the later stages of the race, Burgum dropped out in December 2023 and threw his support behind Trump, making a high-profile endorsement in Iowa before the GOP caucuses.

Trump’s nomination of Burgum signals a strong commitment to his energy and environmental policies. During his presidential campaign, Burgum made energy and natural resource management a cornerstone of his platform, aiming to reduce federal regulations and support the oil, gas, and mining industries. As Secretary of the Interior, Burgum is expected to take charge of critical national issues, from public land conservation to climate change initiatives.

Before this nomination, Burgum had been a key ally on the campaign trail, frequently appearing in media hits and supporting Trump’s agenda. His selection for the Interior post comes after speculation that he might be considered as Trump’s vice-presidential running mate. However, Senator JD Vance of Ohio was ultimately chosen for that role.

As Interior Secretary, Burgum will play a central role in shaping U.S. policies on energy development, conservation, and public lands management, in line with Trump’s vision of promoting economic growth through deregulation.