Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum confirmed as Interior secretary

by Amy Dalrymple, Florida Phoenix
January 31, 2025

The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to confirm former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to lead the Department of Interior.

During his confirmation hearing, Burgum emphasized a commitment to advancing U.S. energy production in President Donald Trump’s administration.

The Senate confirmed Burgum on a bipartisan vote of 79-18, with support from North Dakota Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, who championed his appointment.

“Doug Burgum clearly understands the potential of our abundant, taxpayer-owned energy resources and will treat them as the strategic asset they are, including our oil, gas and coal reserves,” Hoeven said in a statement.

Cramer said Burgum is “tailor-made” for the position, highlighting his “consensus-driven leadership style.”

Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota said Thursday he’s pleased Burgum is committed to restoring a multiple-use approach to managing public lands.

“People in places like my state and Gov. Burgum’s, where the land is part of our way of life, know that the farmer, the rancher, the forester, and other landowners are some of the best conservationists,” Thune said.

The Department of the Interior manages federal natural and cultural resources with about 70,000 employees and an $18 billion budget.

The department includes 11 agencies: the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement, and the bureaus of Indian Affairs, Indian Education, Land Management, Ocean Energy Management, Reclamation, Safety & Environmental Enforcement, and Trust Funds Administration.

“Serving as Interior Secretary is an opportunity to redefine and improve upon the federal government’s relationship with tribal nations, landowners, mineral developers, outdoor enthusiasts and others, with a focus on maximizing the responsible use of our natural resources with environmental stewardship for the benefit of the American people,” Burgum said in a November statement after Trump announced his nomination.

Burgum, a wealthy businessman, was elected North Dakota governor in 2016 and served through mid-December. He was succeeded by former U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong, a Republican who dropped a reelection campaign for Congress after Burgum announced he didn’t plan to seek a third term.

Burgum, a Republican, was a frequent critic of Biden administration policies that threatened domestic oil and gas production and the coal industry. During his two terms as governor, North Dakota sued the Department of Interior and other federal agencies over regulations that affect energy and agriculture.

This story first appeared in the North Dakota Monitor, a member with the Phoenix in the nonprofit States Newsroom.

Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.