Ryan Zinke quits Trump’s team
Interior Secretary cites ‘vicious’ attacks and ‘false claims’
WASHINGTON — Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, facing federal investigations into his travel, political activity and potential conflicts of interest, will be leaving the Donald Trump administration at year’s end, the U.S. president said Saturday.
In his resignation letter, Zinke said “vicious and politically motivated attacks” against him had “created an unfortunate distraction” in fulfilling the agency’s mission.
Trump, in tweeting Zinke’s departure, said the former Montana congressman “accomplished much during his tenure” and a replacement would be announced next week. The cabinet post requires Senate confirmation.
Zinke is leaving weeks before Democrats take control of the House, a shift in power that promises to sharpen the probes into his conduct.
His departure comes amid a staff shakeup as Trump heads into his third year in office facing intensifying investigations into his campaign, business, foundation and administration.
Zinke’s resignation letter, obtained from a Zinke aide on Saturday, cites what he calls “meritless and false claims.”
“To some, truth no longer matters,” the letter says.
The letter, dated Saturday, said Zinke’s last day would be Jan. 2. It was not clear whether Zinke had already submitted the letter when Trump tweeted.
Zinke, 57, played a leading part in Trump’s efforts to roll back federal environmental regulations and promote domestic energy development.
He drew attention from his first day on the job when he mounted a roan gelding to ride across Washington’s National Mall to the Department of Interior.
Zinke resigned amid growing talk that he had lost Trump’s favour.
On Tuesday, Zinke appeared on stage at an Environmental Protection Agency ceremony for a rollback on water regulations. Mentioning his background as a Navy SEAL at least twice, he led the audience in a round of applause for the U.S. oil and gas industry.
Trump never established a deep personal connection with Zinke but appreciated how he stood tall against criticisms from environmental groups as he worked to roll back protections.
But the White House concluded in recent weeks that Zinke was likely the cabinet member most vulnerable to investigations led by newly-empowered Democrats in Congress, according to an administration official.
His tenure was temporarily extended as Interior helped with the response to California wildfires and the West Wing was consumed with speculation over the future of chief of staff John Kelly.
But White House officials pressured him to resign, the official said, which he did after his department’s Christmas party on Thursday night.
On Saturday night, hours after his resignation became public, Zinke was spotted at the White House for another holiday party, the Congressional Ball.
As interior secretary, Zinke pushed to develop oil, natural gas and coal beneath public lands in line with the administration’s business-friendly aims.
But he has been dogged by ethics probes, including one centred on a Montana land deal involving a foundation he created.
Investigators also are reviewing Zinke’s decision to block two tribes from opening a casino in Connecticut and his redrawing of boundaries to shrink a Utah national monument. Zinke has denied wrongdoing.
Reports last month said the department’s internal watchdog had referred an investigation of Zinke to the justice department.
Zinke’s travels with his wife, Lola Zinke, also had come under scrutiny.
Interior’s inspector general’s office said Zinke allowed his wife to ride in government vehicles with him despite a department policy that prohibits nongovernment officials from doing so.
The report also said the department spent more than $25,000 to provide security for the couple when they took a vacation to Turkey and Greece.