Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenDimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' CNN's Don Lemon: 'Blow up the entire system' remark taken out of context Democrats shoot down talk of expanding Supreme Court MORE (D) criticized Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke Ryan Keith ZinkeTrump extends Florida offshore drilling pause, expands it to Georgia, South Carolina Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention Trump flails as audience dwindles and ratings plummet MORE on Thursday over reports that one of his top deputies has ties to lobbying groups.

"Ryan Zinke isn't the only corrupt official in the Department of the @Interior. Take a look at his second in command: @DOIDepSec & former oil lobbyist David Bernhardt, who Interior watchdogs are calling 'the ultimate DC swamp creature,' " she tweeted, adding the hashtag "#EndCorruptionNow."

Ryan Zinke isn't the only corrupt official in the Department of the @Interior. Take a look at his second in command: @DOIDepSec & former oil lobbyist David Bernhardt, who Interior watchdogs are calling “the ultimate DC swamp creature.” #EndCorruptionNow https://t.co/IcRHXWnmcX — Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) October 11, 2018

Warren linked to a story from the left-leaning Mother Jones that described Bernhardt as doing the "dirty work" at Interior. The story suggested that Bernhardt has been effective in pushing Trump energy policies to the detriment of the environment, and argued he could conceivably become Interior secretary if Zinke departed.

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In his confirmation hearings, Mother Jones notes that Bernhardt, confirmed in July, plede, referring to his former lobbying groups.

“If I get a whiff of something coming my way that involves a client or involves my firm, I’m going to make that item run straight to the ethics office," he added.

A request for comment Friday to the Interior Department from The Hill was not immediately answered.