Trump Turns to Hunter and Outdoorsman Zinke to Lead Interior
- Ryan Zinke has bucked Republican Party on public lands issues
- Environmentalist says he adds to Trump ‘pro-polluter’ cabinet
Representative Ryan Zinke, a Republican from Montana, speaks during the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday, July 18, 2016.
Photographer: David Paul Morris/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Representative Ryan Zinke, a Republican who has bucked his party to protect public land, to lead the Interior Department that oversees recreation, energy development and other activities on roughly 20 percent of the U.S.
"He has built one of the strongest track records on championing regulatory relief, forest management, responsible energy development and public land issues," Trump said in a statement Thursday. "America is the most beautiful country in the world, and he is going to help keep it that way with smart management of our federal lands."