Interior Secretary Doug Burgum appeared in front of the House Natural Resources Committee yesterday to defend President Donald Trump’s 2027 Interior department budget request. Today’s hearing follows Burgum’s appearances in front of a House Appropriations subcommittee, a Senate appropriations subcommittee, and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last month.
At the hearing:
Burgum refused to acknowledge that the American people are facing high energy prices due to Trump’s actions in the Middle East and his vendetta against renewable energy, falling back on his tired talking point that “the sun doesn’t shine” at night.
Burgum struggled to defend Interior department spending on Trump’s vanity projects in Washington, D.C., like painting the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool blue and constructing a White House ballroom.
Burgum pleaded ignorance when asked about the creation of Trump’s Freedom 250 group and corruption at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He also struggled to answer questions from Representatives Melanie Stansbury and Adelita Grijalva about massive proposed cuts to Bureau of Indian Affairs education programs.
“By refusing to take responsibility for his part in rising energy prices, Burgum is forsaking the American people in favor of fossil fuel executives,” Center for Western Priorities Executive Director Aaron Weiss said in a statement. “And in defending Trump’s vanity projects, Burgum is selling out national parks across the country to stroke President Trump’s ego.”
Quick hits
Trump officials, billionaires, and the quiet reshaping of America’s public lands
Burgum grilled over Trump vanity projects, proposed budget cuts, how batteries work
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Quote of the day
We know public pressure works; it is up to us to apply it. This may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the anti-parks and anti-public lands caucus. The same can be said for those of us who want nothing more than to protect them.”
—Ryan Gellert, Patagonia, Salt Lake Tribune
Picture This
How many of our followers have caught this view of Valles Caldera from Pajarito Mountain?
Pajarito Mountain, Cerro Grande, Rabbit Mountain, and other nearby peaks form the caldera rim, offering outstanding views into and across this 14-mile-wide, circular depression in the Earth.
Featured image: Doug Burgum at the House Natural Resources Committee on May 13, 2026