Trump’s pick to lead Bureau of Land Management backs out after memo critical of Jan. 6 leaked

Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance, withdrew her name from consideration to serve as director of the Bureau of Land Management. 

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, made the announcement Thursday during what was to be a hearing to consider Sgamma's nomination, as well as two other nominees for positions in the Department of Energy and the Department of Interior. 

“I’ve been informed this morning that Miss Kathleen Sgamma has withdrawn her consideration to be the director of the Bureau of Land Management at the Department of the Interior,” Lee said. In a post on Linkedin, Sgamma confirmed she had withdrawn her nomination. 

"I remain a passionate advocate for our public lands and was honored to be nominated by President Trump. I also appreciate all the support I received from ranchers, sportsmen's and recreation groups, conservationists, tribes, states, counties, the energy, mining and timber industries, and many other stakeholders across the West. I remain committed to President Trump and his unleashing American energy agenda and ensuring multiple-use access for all," Sgamma said. 

The Western Energy Alliance confirmed that the decision to withdraw is related to a letter Sgamma had written and sent out to alliance members on Jan. 7, 2021. In the letter, which was first posted on X by Nick Surgey, executive director of the investigative group Documented, Sgamma states that she was "disgusted by the violence" of the Jan. 6 riots on Capitol Hill, as well as "President Trump's role in spreading misinformation that incited it." 

Tim Stewart, president of the U.S. Oil and Gas Association, told Just the News that he is disappointed that Sgamma won't be considered for the position.

"Kathleen is without a doubt the most qualified nominee to lead the BLM I have seen in my 30-plus years working on public lands and energy issues. This is a big loss for everyone anxious to see a return to the multiple-use doctrine which used to guide the way public lands were managed," Stewart said. 

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.

The Biden-Harris administration took a much more restrictive approach to public land management, including limiting oil and gas lease sales and mining activity. The administration also finalized a rule creating "conservation leases." The leases work just like oil and gas or cattle grazing leases, except the “use” of the land would be to conserve it, which typically means erasing or eliminating human impact on the untouched landscape. Critics of these leases say they take public lands off the table for any uses in opposition to FLPMA, while supporters say it would only allow for restoration and mitigation activities alongside other uses.

In a statement, The Hill reported, White House spokesperson Liz Huston said, “We accept her withdrawal and look forward to putting forth another nominee.”