Steve Pearce, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Bureau of Land Management, offered contradictory stances on public land sell-off during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday morning.
During the hearing, Pearce alternately stood by his past words endorsing the sell-off of public lands while also acknowledging the law currently doesn’t allow it. Pearce specifically said that if confirmed, he would not seek to sell off “large swaths” of public lands. But when Senator Ron Wyden asked Pearce about his history of advocating for public land sell-off, Pearce said, “I’m not so sure that I’ve changed.”
Because of his deep history attempting to dispose of public lands by selling them to the highest bidder, veterans, hunters, and environmentalists have come out against his nomination. Across the West, 76 percent of voters oppose selling national public lands to private companies for housing, and 74 percent oppose selling them for oil and gas development.
Also during the hearing, Pearce dodged questions about the Trump administration’s energy policy, including whether Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has the power to unilaterally block or slow all renewable energy projects on public land.
“Most people would prepare for a job interview beforehand,” said Center for Western Priorities Deputy Director Aaron Weiss. “His ‘I know nothing’ routine should be a red flag to every senator. Based solely on his feigned ignorance of energy policy, Steve Pearce is unqualified to lead the Bureau of Land Management.”
Quick hits
Trump’s BLM nominee waffles on public land sell-off stance
High Country News / Public Domain | CPR News | New York Times | Source NM | Las Cruces Sun-News | E&E News | Deseret News
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Quote of the day
In all my decades of serving the state, I’ve never received such passionate and unified messages as I have on this particular topic. Idahoans do not want their public lands sold, period, full stop.”
—U.S. Senator James Risch, KUNC
Picture This
“Call Mr. Plow, that’s my name—that name again is Mr. Plow!” – Homer Simpson
Call now for a free T-shirt! (There is no T-shirt.)
But did you know the real plow kings of winter aren’t always trucks or Mr. Plow. “When the snow starts a-fallin’, There’s a bison you should be callin.” With their huge muscular humps, massive heads, and powerful necks, they swing side to side like living snowplows, clearing deep drifts to reach buried grass below. (Fun fact: Elk dig with hooves—bison bulldoze with their heads!)
So next time you’re driving in snow country and spot a bison (or an actual snowplow) ahead, remember: give it room and stay back a safe distance. They have the right of way… and several thousand pounds of momentum.
Stay warm out there!
Images: Various bison moving snow @yellowstonenps.
(Featured image: Steve Pearce at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. U.S. Senate)