Senate must reject corrupt David Bernhardt for Interior Secretary

February 4, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Trump today nominated David Bernhardt for U.S. Secretary of the Department of the Interior. Bernhardt, who is currently serving as the Deputy Secretary of the agency, will have to be confirmed by the Senate for the new position.

In response to Trump’s decision, Nicole Ghio, Senior Fossil Fuels Program Manager for Friends of the Earth, issued the following statement:

Trump has once again nominated a corrupt industry hack to lead a critical federal agency. Instead of another puppet for corporate polluters, Americans want real leaders who will protect our public lands, natural resources and cultural heritage.

Rather than give Bernhardt a promotion, Congress should be working on exposing his numerous conflicts of interest and ethics violations, as a fossil fuel lobbyist and now as a government official.

The Senate must reject Bernhardt because he will undoubtedly put his fossil fuel industry friends before the American people and our environment.

Expert contact: Nicole Ghio, (510) 900-8061, [email protected]

Communications contact: Patrick Davis, (202) 222-0744, [email protected]