The Senate confirmed Doug Burgum as Secretary of the Interior late Thursday, solidifying President Donald Trump’s push to expand domestic fossil fuel production under his administration.
The vote was 79-18, with more than half of Senate Democrats joining all 53 Republicans in supporting Burgum, the Associated Press reporBurgum, 68, is a billionaire entrepreneur who made his fortune in the software industry. He hails from a small farming community in North Dakota, where his family operated a grain elevator.
Burgum served two terms as the state’s governor, overseeing a booming oil and gas industry. In 2023, he launched a presidential campaign but withdrew a few months later, quickly endorsing Trump.
Beyond leading the Department of the Interior, Trump has tapped Burgum to chair the newly created National Energy Council, which will focus on securing American energy dominance. In a historic move, Burgum will also hold a seat on the National Security Council, making him the first Interior Secretary to do so.His directive from Trump is to simplify the process for energy companies to access fossil fuel resources, including those on public lands. Trump has also tasked Burgum with boosting American oil production beyond its current capacity.
As of Thursday, Trump has eight members of his Cabinet confirmed so far, including Burgum: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
