By now, most Americans are well aware of the historically slow rate at which President Donald J. Trump’s cabinet has been confirmed by the United States Senate.
For weeks, Democrats have been slow-walking each and every one of President Trump’s nominees, using every tactic imaginable to prevent the White House from implementing the bold agenda voters demanded in 2016.
On Wednesday, the Senate finally confirmed Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke to lead the Department of Interior, and during his first day on the job the congressman arrived in style.
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement sent out a tweet Tuesday morning showing Zinke arriving to work in Washington, D.C. on horseback:
BSEE is pleased to welcome the new Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. “Lets get to work!” pic.twitter.com/520TMPxslr
— BSEE (@BSEEgov) March 2, 2017
Zinke also took to his personal Twitter page to announce his support for the U.S. Park Police:
Honored to stand with the brave officers of @USParkPolice – these professionals put their lives on the line for us pic.twitter.com/QbtojcfvLV
— Secretary Ryan Zinke (@SecretaryZinke) March 2, 2017
Humbled by the warm welcome at @Interior this morning pic.twitter.com/1zCvKc0CPL
— Secretary Ryan Zinke (@SecretaryZinke) March 2, 2017
While Zinke’s decision to show up to work on horseback was certainly a unique moment, what’s more important are the policies that he will promote while leading the Department of Interior, which oversees approximately one-fifth of all lands in the United States.
From The New York Times:
Westerners angered by land restrictions are hoping that Mr. Zinke will help them peel back Washington’s grip on public acres. For miners, ranchers and politicians in resource-rich regions, the Obama years were a rough ride. President Barack Obama blocked new coal leases, imposed moratoriums on uranium drilling near the Grand Canyon and set aside 553 million acres for national monuments, more than any other president.
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As secretary, Mr. Zinke will face several challenges, including a $12.5 billion maintenance backlog at national parks; ecosystems and budgets ravaged by drought and fire; environmental activists invigorated by the highly public protest of the Dakota Access pipeline; tattered relations between Interior Department employees and local communities; and a president whose job promises may hinge on his ability to push fossil fuel projects through the door.
The Department of the Interior also oversees oil drilling in this country, and then-candidate Trump pledged to expand oil drilling in the United States, specifically in Alaska’s ANWR. If President Trump authorizes the expansion of oil drilling, Secretary Zinke will have to navigate the challenges associated with any new projects – like the inevitable protests.
Either way, he proved he’s ready for the job with that flashy entrance!
Do you think Secretary Zinke will be able to adequately implement President Trump’s agenda for the Department of the Interior, specifically expanded oil drilling? Share your thoughts below!