Accountable.US Statement on Doug Burgum’s Nomination to Lead the Interior Department

In response to President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to nominate North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to lead the Department of the Interior, government watchdog Accountable.US released the following statement highlighting glaring red flags about Governor Burgum’s strong ties to the oil industry.

“Governor Burgum’s cozy relationship with big oil spells danger for America’s taxpayers and the great outdoors,” said Accountable.US Executive Director Tony Carrk. “Americans deserve leaders who prioritize protecting public land for everyone, not for oil and gas profiteering.”

Governor Burgum’s lowlights include:

• Doug Burgum receives as much as $51,000 per year leasing his family land to big oil corporations.
• Doug Burgum’s failed presidential campaign was financed by the oil industry – over $470,000 in contributions.
• As governor, Doug Burgum slashed taxes that oil companies pay to develop public minerals in North Dakota.
• On the campaign stump, Doug Burgum attended a meeting where Donald Trump asked for a $1B contribution from CEOs in exchange for industry-friendly policies.
• Doug Burgum lied about the impacts of Joe Biden’s energy policies– saying they have driven oil production down when it in fact has increased.