Trump nominates former New Mexico Rep. Steve Pearce to lead Bureau of Land Management

Pearce previously served on the House Natural Resources Committee, which conducted oversight of the bureau, while he was in the lower chamber from 2003 to 2009 and from 2011 to 2019.

By Misty Severi

Published: November 5, 2025 7:19pm

President Donald Trump has nominated former New Mexico GOP Rep. Steve Pearce to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which means he could lead a federal agency he helped oversee in the lower chamber.

Pearce's nomination comes months after Trump's first pick, Kathleen Sgamma, withdrew herself from consideration amid criticism over comments about the January 6 Capitol riot in 2021.

The mission of the BLM has been guided by the multiple-use doctrine outlined in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), which mandates that the BLM manage public land resources for a variety of uses, including energy development, livestock grazing and recreation and timber harvesting, while protecting historic and cultural resources.

Pearce previously served on the House Natural Resources Committee, which conducted oversight of the bureau, while he was in the lower chamber from 2003 to 2009 and from 2011 to 2019.

Wyoming Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis praised the nomination on Wednesday, stating the nomination was a "major win" for her state.

"Steve’s leadership will be invaluable in managing our public lands and wisely stewarding our resources," Lummis said in a statement. "This nomination is a major win for Wyoming and the entire west, and I’m glad to see such a crucial role filled by someone so well qualified. I urge a swift confirmation.”

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