President-elect Donald Trump has announced his nomination of North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to serve as the next **U.S. Secretary of the Interior** and as the chairman of the newly formed “National Energy Council”.
As Interior Secretary, Burgum will oversee the U.S. Department of the Interior, a Cabinet-level agency responsible for managing the nation’s natural and cultural resources. The department, with approximately 70,000 employees, operates through 11 technical bureaus, including the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. It also manages over 500 million acres of public lands, 700 million acres of subsurface minerals, and 1.7 billion acres of the Outer Continental Shelf.
“Being selected to lead the U.S. Department of the Interior is an incredible honor and an enormous responsibility,” Burgum said in a statement. “This role offers a unique opportunity to redefine and strengthen the federal government’s relationship with tribal nations, landowners, mineral developers, and outdoor enthusiasts while focusing on the responsible use of natural resources and environmental stewardship.”
Role on the National Energy Council
In addition to his nomination as Interior Secretary, Burgum will chair the **National Energy Council**, a newly established body designed to coordinate the efforts of federal departments and agencies involved in energy production, regulation, and distribution. As chairman, Burgum will also hold a seat on the National Security Council.
“The National Energy Council will elevate coordination across federal agencies to establish American energy dominance,” Burgum said. “By prioritizing innovation over regulation, we can expand energy production, reduce costs for consumers, boost the economy, and support our allies with cleaner, safer energy options.”
Historic Appointment
If confirmed, Burgum will become the first North Dakotan to lead the Department of the Interior and the fourth North Dakotan to serve in a U.S. Cabinet role. He follows former Governor Ed Schafer, who served as Secretary of Agriculture under President George W. Bush, and Tom Kleppe, appointed as Interior Secretary by President Gerald Ford. Warren Christopher, a native of Scranton, N.D., served as Secretary of State under President Bill Clinton.
Burgum’s nomination reflects Trump’s vision of leveraging state-level leadership and business acumen to modernize federal operations and advance energy independence. The Senate will consider his confirmation in the coming weeks.
By: Montana Newsroom staff
