President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday night that he has chosen North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to lead the U.S. Department of the Interior. Burgum, a staunch supporter of the fossil fuel industry, will replace President Joe Biden’s current Interior Secretary, Deb Haaland, if confirmed.
Trump made the announcement at a gala hosted by the America First Policy Institute, teasing the audience with a playful remark: “I won’t tell you his name, it might be something like Burgum,” before confirming, “Actually, he’s going to head the Department of Interior, and he’s going to be fantastic.”
Burgum’s Background and Industry Ties
Burgum, 68, has been a prominent figure in the fossil fuel industry, known for advocating energy policies that prioritize oil and gas development. His experience extends beyond politics; he made his fortune in the tech industry as the founder of Great Plains Software, which Microsoft acquired in 2001. Following the acquisition, Burgum served as a senior vice president at Microsoft until 2007 before venturing into the world of venture capitalism.
