David Bernhardt has been confirmed as the 53rd secretary of the Interior Department. As deputy secretary, Bernhardt played a key, behind-the-scenes role in gutting environmental regulations and advancing the Trump administration’s fossil fuel-centric “energy dominance” agenda. Prior to Bernhardt’s confirmation, several Senate Democrats wrote a letter calling for the Interior Department’s internal watchdog to investigate allegations that he suppressed science by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Despite Democrats having plenty of new fodder, Bernhardt sailed through his confirmation hearing earlier this month, where protesters were spotted donning bright green swamp creature masks. He added that during recent meetings he told Bernhardt he plans to hold him and the department to the “highest ethical standards.”

Source: Huffington Post April 11, 2019 18:31 UTC