Trump passes over Fallin for Interior secretary, according to reports

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald J. Trump plans to nominate a U.S. congresswoman as Interior secretary, passing over Gov. Mary Fallin after an "awkward" interview last month.

USA Today and The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Trump has settled on Republican U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, of Washington, for the Interior post. Trump has not made an official announcement. Several other people were considered.

Fallin interviewed for the job with Trump on Nov. 21 in New York City and characterized it as "a great meeting."

Sources told The Oklahoman this week, though, that the interview was "awkward." The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Fallin stumbled over questions regarding the potential sale of federally owned land. The Interior Department includes the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service.