He rode a horse – named Tonto – down the National Mall to his first day of work at the Interior Department. Montana-born interior secretary Ryan Zinke – who meets with President Trump on Friday morning – meticulously crafts his image as wilderness-loving western cowboy and sportsman. Deputy interior secretary David Bernhardt, for example, is a former lobbyist for the oil and gas industry. At his confirmation hearing, Zinke said he was concerned about climate change, and he regularly declares his “love” for public lands. Whether the Trump administration succeeds in changing the shape of America’s public lands could depend on Zinke.

Source: The Guardian October 27, 2017 15:00 UTC