Former Trump administration officials may rejoin for a second term

Former Trump administration officials are likely to return if he wins the upcoming presidential election against Joe Biden, with many expressing interest in rejoining the Interior Department.

Michael Doyle reports for E&E News.

In short:

Many Trump-era Interior Department officials, including former Secretaries and appointees, are reportedly ready to serve again.
Speculated returnees include David Bernhardt and Katharine MacGregor, with some currently holding influential roles in Republican-led states.
Regular social gatherings among former Trump Interior staff suggest ongoing discussions about potential roles in a second administration.

Key quote:

"I think there are going to be a lot of familiar faces that will want to go back."

— Cole Rojewski, former congressional liaison, U.S. Interior Department.

Why this matters:

The reappointment of former Trump administration officials could significantly influence U.S. environmental and energy policies, particularly in areas like resource extraction and regulatory changes. Their experience and previous initiatives suggest a continuation of the policies seen during Trump's first term.

Will 2024 bring a repeat of these kinds of headlines? Rethinking energy and justice in the Trump era.

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Former Trump administration officials may rejoin for a second term

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