January 4, 2018 — 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.
Zinke, who announced his resignation under pressure in December, was not present at the meeting, and his Twitter profile description had been changed to “former secretary of the Interior” by midday. Zinke tweeted that it had been “a high honor to serve” Trump and the American people in the role.
“We’ve restored public lands for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, improved public access and shall never be held hostage again for our energy needs,” Zinke said.