Trump administration plans to overhaul Interior Department with budget cuts and policy reversals
President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration is gearing up to reverse Biden-era regulations and restructure the Interior Department, targeting federal workforce reductions and energy production policies.
Michael Doyle, Heather Richards and Scott Streater report for E&E News.
In short:
- The Trump administration plans to accelerate oil and gas production on public lands while rescinding Biden-era environmental regulations.
- Billionaire Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will co-lead a new commission focused on slashing government spending and identifying inefficiencies in federal agencies, including Interior.
- Critics warn that deep staff cuts could hinder key functions like permitting and renewable energy development, potentially backfiring on Trump's energy priorities.
Key quote:
It will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.”
— Donald Trump, President-elect
Why this matters:
The Interior Department oversees vast natural resources and public lands critical to energy production and conservation. Proposed workforce cuts and deregulation efforts could significantly impact environmental protections, energy policy and Indigenous land rights.
Related: Trump’s potential return sparks fear among federal employees
