Even in President Trump’s corrupt Cabinet, Secretary Zinke stood out. He oversaw the attempted rollback of critical protections for land, water, & wildlife—including the Northeast Canyons & Seamounts—all the while, cozying up to industry lobbyists & donors.
Zinke repeatedly skirted agency policy to allow family, friends, & guests, including fundraisers & former donors, to benefit from taxpayer-funded travel.
In less than two years in office, Zinke has already been the subject of 15 federal investigations. At least one was referred to the Justice Department, whose investigation must be allowed to continue.
Zinke also met with Nevada friends of MGM to discuss a proposed CT casino, while refusing to meet with CT & Tribal officials. After this meeting he then ignored his own staff’s recommendation & clear legal precedent to stall the casino, thereby aiding MGM’s bottom line.
After all that, it still took Trump two years & the threat of actual oversight from the new Democratic majority in the House to fire him. Zinke leaves behind a shameful legacy of self-dealing & corruption.
