### Doug Burgum Tapped to Lead the Department of the Interior

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has been selected by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Department of the Interior. With a strong connection to the oil and gas industry, Burgum is primed to spearhead efforts to increase fossil fuel leasing on public lands and significantly reduce environmental regulations.

Burgum, currently in his second term as governor, hails from a state where an overwhelming 67.5% of voters supported Trump. His selection signals a clear intent to ramp up oil and gas activities and relax the conservation and endangered species protections enforced by the Biden administration.

As the nominee for Interior Secretary, Burgum will manage crucial aspects of U.S. public lands, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and minerals, while also upholding federal commitments to Indigenous communities. Burgum, a conventional pick for this role, previously was considered as a potential vice-presidential candidate for Trump.

In an additional move to consolidate energy policy, Trump announced that Burgum will also lead a new "National Energy Council." This dual role underscores Burgum's central position in shaping the administration's aggressive energy agenda, colloquially known as "drill baby, drill."

This appointment is pivotal, as the Interior Secretary plays a significant role in enhancing U.S. oil and gas production. Burgum's leadership is expected to align closely with Trump's priorities in the energy sector, ensuring a robust push towards expanded oil and gas leasing on public lands.