Senate confirms Doug Burgum as Secretary of the Interior

The Senate on Thursday night confirmed former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as Interior secretary in a bipartisan 79-18 vote, which puts him in charge of drilling and mining policies on federal lands.

President Donald Trump nominated Burgum for the position shortly after winning reelection in November. The former North Dakota governor ran for the Republican nomination for president in 2024 and was later a finalist for Trump's vice presidential pick. 

Burgum promised in his confirmation hearing that he would open more areas up for production of oil, natural gas and coal, according to Politico. He will also be an important player in Trump's "Drill, baby, drill" energy agenda. 

"Congratulations Doug Burgum on being confirmed as Secretary of the Interior!" House Speaker Mike Johnson posted to X. "Doug will work with President Trump to roll back the harmful regulations that have impeded our economic growth and national security - and will pave the way to restore America’s ENERGY DOMINANCE!"

The new secretary will also sit on the president's National Security Council, and will lead the new National Energy Council, which will be critical to Trump's goal of American energy dominance.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.