Interior chief Zinke to leave administration
By Timothy Cama and Miranda Green - 12/15/18 09:17 AM EST
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke will depart the administration amid growing controversy over allegations that he violated ethics rules, President Trump announced Saturday.
Trump tweeted early Saturday that Zinke "will be leaving the Administration at the end of the year after having served for a period of almost two years."
"Ryan has accomplished much during his tenure and I want to thank him for his service to our Nation," Trump wrote.
He did not specify whether Zinke resigned or was fired, and said he will announce a new secretary next week. Whoever he nominates will likely have to go through Senate confirmation.
David Bernhardt, the deputy Interior secretary, could take over as acting secretary in the interim.
Bernhardt has been the point person on numerous major Interior initiatives, such as changes to the Endangered Species Act and efforts to start drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He is widely expected to continue similar policies as Zinke, though perhaps with a different tone.
Zinke’s departure as head of the agency that oversees federal land, wildlife and American Indian relations comes as Democrats prepare to take over as the majority in the House, where they’ll have subpoena power for investigations.
Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the presumptive incoming chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, which has oversight of the Interior Department, had promised to use his gavel to compel Zinke to testify about the accusations against him and to subpoena records related to the allegations.
Zinke responded to the prospect of House Democratic oversight by attacking Grijalva personally earlier in December after the congressman called on him to resign.
more
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/415988-interior-secretary-ryan-zinke-steps-down
