Doug Burgum: The Billionaire Governor Turned Trump’s DOI Secretary
Doug Burgum may not be a household name, but his new job as Secretary of the Interior in the Trump administration puts him in charge of decisions that will impact millions of acres of public land and water—especially in Alaska. As the former governor of North Dakota and a billionaire businessman, Burgum now leads the Department of the Interior, which manages one-fifth of the U.S.'s public lands, national parks, and wildlife. His confirmation is yet another move by Trump to install loyalists who will push his reckless energy agenda, prioritizing fossil fuel interests over conservation, Indigenous rights, and climate action. With a track record of championing deregulation and catering to the fossil fuel industry, Burgum’s appointment represents a direct threat to Alaska’s wild places.
Who Is Doug Burgum?
Burgum is no stranger to the intersection of business and politics (sound familiar?). He made his fortune in the tech industry, selling his software company, Great Plains Software, to Microsoft for $1.1 billion in 2001. With no political experience (also sound familiar?), he ran for governor of North Dakota in 2016 as a businessman promising economic growth. While he positioned himself as an outsider, his policies as governor made it clear where his priorities stand—he championed oil and gas development at every turn. Under his leadership, North Dakota saw record oil production, and though he promoted carbon capture as a climate solution, his focus remained on extending the life of fossil fuels rather than transitioning to cleaner alternatives.
Burgum’s deep ties to the fossil fuel industry and his pro-drilling stance made him a perfect fit for Trump’s vision of an energy-dominant America—no surprise there. His confirmation as Secretary of the Interior signals a shift back toward deregulation, fossil fuel extraction, and weakening environmental protections, especially on public lands.
A Rubber Stamp for Trump’s Reckless Agenda
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, greets U.S. President Donald J. Trump arrives at the North Dakota Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., Sept. 7, 2018. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H Lipp)
When Burgum first ran for office, he kept his distance from Trump, focusing on local issues rather than tying himself to national politics. Even when he launched his very short-lived 2024 presidential campaign, he tried to present himself as a more traditional, business-minded conservative rather than a Trump loyalist. But, like so many others before him, he eventually fell in line—endorsing Trump as his campaign collapsed. And just like others who transitioned from Trump skeptics to full-fledged loyalists—like even Trump’s own vice president, JD Vance—he was rewarded with a powerful position.
Now, as Secretary of the Interior, Burgum stands ready to execute Trump’s disastrous energy agenda, prioritizing fossil fuel profits over environmental stewardship. His blind loyalty to Trump makes him a dangerous ally in the fight against conservation, public lands protection, and climate action.
What’s at Stake Under Burgum as DOI Secretary?
Courtesy of Florian Schulz / protectthearctic.org
On day one of his second term, Trump signed an Alaska-focused executive order aimed at accelerating the exploitation of Alaska’s natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals. While these orders lay the groundwork for future development, they’ve largely been symbolic, with little achieved during his first term or day one of his second term. Now, under Burgum’s leadership at the DOI, we face the reality that these harmful policies might be put into action. However, the path ahead is not set in stone. We have strong opposition and compelling arguments on our side. Drilling in the Arctic is not only an environmental disaster but is also financially unfeasible, and we are committed to pushing back against any attempts to harm Alaska’s public lands, waters, and communities.
The Bigger Picture: Trump’s Energy Agenda Sacrifices Alaska for Illusions of Profit
Burgum’s rise to power is part of Trump’s broader attempt to exploit our nation’s public lands while undercutting climate policy. His appointment is a clear sign that Trump is doubling down on outdated, destructive energy policies. This agenda doesn’t just jeopardize Alaska’s landscapes—it undermines Indigenous sovereignty, threatens biodiversity, and deepens the climate crisis.
But the world is moving on. Investors, companies, and the public are shifting away from high-risk, high-cost fossil fuel projects like Arctic drilling. The global energy landscape is changing, favoring clean, renewable alternatives over costly and environmentally devastating oil and gas extraction. Burgum’s policies don’t just threaten Alaska—they put the U.S. at odds with global energy priorities and economic realities.
Alaska Wilderness League at Work
Courtesy of Florian Schulz / protectthearctic.org
While the stakes are high, we remain unwavering in our commitment to protecting Alaska’s federal public lands and waters. We refuse to let Burgum and Trump’s allies gamble away these irreplaceable landscapes for fleeting profits. Our fight is backed by the facts: Drilling in the Arctic doesn’t make economic sense, doesn’t create lasting jobs, and doesn’t serve the American people.
We’re ready to engage with Burgum—or any leader—who is willing to have a real conversation about responsible land stewardship. But make no mistake: We will not stand by as Trump’s allies indiscriminately push an agenda that threatens our climate, public lands, and future generations.
Stopping this assault on our environment requires vigilance, advocacy, and public opposition to policies that prioritize extraction over sustainability. But together, we can and will hold the line against those who seek to dismantle conservation protections for the sake of corporate greed.
