Ryan Zinke will leave the Trump administration at the end of the year

The Inspector General of the Interior conducts several inquiries about the secretary, particularly about the treatment of a casino project in Connecticut by the department, over whether the limits of the Grand Staircase-Escalante national monument were redrawn for the benefit of a state legislator and the conversations between President Zinke and Halliburton, David Lesar talks about a land development project in the hometown of Zinke, Whitefish, Montana.

"I respect all the rules, procedures, regulations and, most importantly, the law," he told CNN. "This is another political investigation that has no merit."

Zinke launched an ambitious energy development program, including a reassessment of the offshore energy potential of the entire country.

million. Zinke often mentioned the President's experience as a builder when he advocated for funding to rebuild an aging infrastructure in national parks and other sites.

Environmental groups quickly applauded Zinke's imminent departure.

"Zinke's days of plundering our land and enriching it, as well as her friends, are over," said Nicole Ghio, Friends of the Earth Fossil Fuels Program Manager, in a statement. "With an average of nearly one open federal inquiry into his conduct a month, Zinke's highly questionable ethic has finally caught up." Now, he's just another name on the list of officials Trump's Inherited Cabinet, That Republican-Led Congress

The Leader of the Senate Minority, Chuck Schumer, also issued a statement on Zinke.

"Ryan Zinke was one of the most senior members Cabinet's toxic in the way it dealt with our environment, our precious public lands and in the fact that it treated the government as if it were its own honey pot, "Schumer, D-New York, has The swamp cabinet will be a little less dirty without him. "

The departure from the inside may not be Zinke's last turning point in the spotlight. 39; State and sealed the navy, Zinke had been mentioned co potential candidate for the Governor of Montana.

However, a source close to the situation told CNN that she did not think Zinke wanted to run for the governorship, but that it was time for Zinke to make the transition.

The source pointed out that it was not Zinke. feared to defend himself, but that the staff resources, the time and preparation required to prepare for such a showdown could distract the attention of the agency's work.

Grijalva said Saturday in a statement that he hoped the page "is really turning around him". "After Zinke's departure."

"This is not a victory, but I hope it's a real turning point," he said. Secretary Zinke's successor has the opportunity to move from the unfortunate track record of the Trump administration to the management and decline of the environment. A well managed interior department – which puts the public good ahead of the requirements of the fossil fuel and mining industry – can be an asset to the whole country. "

" The next Secretary of the Interior should respect the aspirations of the American people to strict environmental standards and the end of corporate favoritism, "said Grijalva." The Democratic majority of the Natural Resources Committee will ready to participate in this endeavor from January. "