WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, whom he appointed to lead the Interior Department, will also lead a newly created National Energy Council aimed at strengthening the “energy dominance” of the US to establish the USA worldwide.
In his new role, Burgum will lead a board that includes all executive agencies dealing with energy permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation and transportation, Trump said in a statement. As chairman of the National Energy Council, Burgum will have a seat on the National Security Council, Trump said.
“This Council will oversee the path to U.S. ENERGY DOMINANCE by cutting red tape, increasing private sector investment across all sectors of the economy, and focusing on INNOVATION instead of longstanding but completely unnecessary regulation,” Trump wrote.
The Republican president-elect accused the “radical left” of waging a war on American energy in the name of fighting climate change. Trump said his policy of energy dominance, which he also advocated during his first term, would allow the United States to sell oil, gas and other forms of energy to European allies and thus make the world safer.
If adopted, Trump’s policies would represent a near-total reversal from the actions of Democratic President Joe Biden, who has made fighting climate change a top priority and pushed for more electric vehicles and stricter regulation of carbon pollution from coal-fired power plants . Trump has promised to eliminate unspent funds in Biden’s landmark climate and health care legislation and halt offshore wind development when he returns to the White House in January.
Trump, who called oil “liquid gold,” said oil and natural gas, as well as minerals such as lithium and copper, should be exploited as much as possible. “We will BABY DRILL and expand ALL forms of energy production to grow our economy and create good-paying jobs,” Trump wrote.
Speaking to reporters at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort before announcing his nomination for Interior secretary on Thursday evening, Burgum said he and Trump were concerned about “the connection between energy and inflation and the connection between energy and national security.”
“Energy is a part of everything – it’s the clothes you wear, the food you eat,” Burgum said, adding that the U.S. needs to boost electricity production to meet increased demand from data centers and artificial intelligence become.
“The AI battle affects everything from defense to healthcare to education to a country’s productivity,” Burgum said, referring to artificial intelligence. “And the AI coming to market in the next 18 months will be revolutionary. So there’s just a sense of urgency and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration to address the problem.
Burgum, 68, was elected governor of North Dakota in 2016, his first campaign. A former software executive, he led Great Plains Software, which Microsoft acquired in 2001 for $1.1 billion. Burgum also led other companies in real estate development and venture capital.
Burgum, a Republican, has adopted a pro-business style as governor of a state where agriculture and oil are the main industries. He has advocated for income tax cuts, reduced regulations and changes to animal husbandry laws and higher education governance. Burgum also emphasized a “data-driven” approach to government, advocated for a Theodore Roosevelt presidential library in the state and prioritized collaboration with tribal nations.
He ran for president in 2023 but dropped out after his bid failed to gain traction. He later supported Trump.
Industry groups welcomed Burgum to the new administration and said Trump’s creation of an energy council signaled a renewed emphasis on boosting domestic production and streamlining regulations.
Burgum’s “deep understanding of America’s energy resources and public lands enables him to address critical issues such as improving energy affordability … and strengthening the United States in the global energy market,” said Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, the Milito is a former vice president of the American Petroleum Institute, the industry’s largest lobbying group.
David Seabrook, president of the Wilderness Society, called Burgum “a long-time friend of fossil fuel interests” who played a role at an April event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort where Trump reportedly solicited industry leaders and lobbyists to donate $1 billion to his campaign with the expectation that if re-elected he would restrict environmental regulations.
“The first Trump administration treated (public lands) as if they were to be dug up, drilled or sold for profit,” Seabrook said. “Governor Burgum’s long track record of encouraging uncontrolled fossil fuel development sends a loud signal about which path they will take this time.”
Later Friday, Trump named his campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt as his White House press secretary. Leavitt, 27, would be the youngest White House press secretary in history.
Trump previously announced that Steven Cheung would serve as White House communications director and Sergio Gor would lead the human resources office. Both are long-time consultants.
Cheung led communications for Trump’s recent campaign, where he became known for his combative and insulting attacks on Republican opponents. A native of Sacramento, California, he worked in Republican politics and for the Ultimate Fighting Championship before joining Trump’s team in 2016.
Gor ran Winning Team Publishing, which he founded with Donald Trump Jr. The company has published books by Trump and his allies. Gor also led the super PAC Right for America.
And tardy Friday night, during a Conservative Political Action Conference event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, the president-elect called on Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley to remain in that role, according to a person in the room. who spoke anonymously to share details of a private event.
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Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in Palm Beach, Florida, contributed to this story.
