With Zinke Out, Former Lobbyist Becomes Acting Interior Secretary
- Natural resources lawyer David Bernhardt also agency’s No. 2
- Bernhardt shaped endangered species policy behind scenes
David Bernhardt
Photographer: Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images
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As Ryan Zinke left his post heading the Interior Department on Wednesday, the agency’s No. 2 official, David Bernhardt, joined President Donald Trump at a meeting of cabinet officials.
Bernhardt, who has been serving as deputy Interior secretary since his confirmation last July, is taking over as acting Interior secretary, said a person familiar with the matter. But White House officials did not respond to requests for comment or confirmation Wednesday.