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Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke often stated that he was not afraid of fighting.
In in an interview with Breitbart News last month, the former Montana Congressman and Navy SEAL dismissed the information that his days in the Trump administration would have been counted only by rumors.
in a lot of fights. I do not mind being shot at, "he said. "It's better to charge a hill under fire than to snuggle into a fox hole."
But the intense scrutiny that Zinke would have to face next year from Democrats in the House, exercising a new supervisory authority, will prove to be a fight that will not be over. he – or perhaps the boss to whom he was so faithful – was not ready. President Donald Trump announced Saturday morning that Zinke would resign at the end of the year .
Zinke's last day as agency head will be January 2, reported Saturday Associated Press quoting his resignation letter. The day before the Democrats take control of the House of Representatives. In recent weeks, some Democratic legislators have made it clear that they intend to investigate both about Zinke's personal conduct and about his political decisions. He has faced nearly 20 federal investigations, of which one referred to the Department of Justice for possible criminal offenses
Evening Standard
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Member of the House Oversight Committee and Vice President, told HuffPost last month that Zinke "was definitely going to be a topic of great interest" as a result of "one" total desert monitoring under the surveillance of Republicans ". Since Trump took office, Republicans of the House's Oversight Committee have rejected more than 60 requests for subpoenas from Democratic Democrats, including one concerning the reassignment of career by Zinke .
. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), One of the most ferocious critics of Zinke in Washington and outgoing chairman of the House's Natural Resources Committee, told Outside Magazine and other media outlets that he was ready to call Zinke, if necessary. obtain informations.
In his letter of resignation to Trump, Zinke wrote that "vicious and politically motivated attacks" against him had "created an annoying distraction," according to the AP. And in a statement published on Twitter, the head of the incumbent agency said that he "can not justify spending thousands of dollars to defend myself and my family against false allegations ".
"It is best that the President and the Interior focus on achievements rather than fictitious allegations," added Zinke.
While it seems in appearance that Zinke's departure is a personal decision, the AP and the New York Times reported on Saturday that the White House was not going to make a decision. had forced to evade concerns about ongoing scandals, an in-depth review and a negative press. .
"It's not a victory, but I hope it's a real turning point of the page," said Grijalva in a statement . "The next secretary should respect the public's desire to put in place strict environmental standards and put an end to corporate patronage."
There were many signs that Zinke was about to leave. Last month, Trump told reporters that Zinke "did a great job", but that he would "review" the allegations against him and make a decision about his future. Zinke's personal attack last month against the congressman to entrust him with a power of control has only added to the speculation. his resignation.
During recent public appearances and appearances, Zinke seemed to work to maintain the approval of his boss. He told Bloomberg that Trump is " great to work for ", despite occasional calls at 2 am, and that "if you do your job, he supports you." And Zinke has repeatedly praised the administration's efforts to produce fossil fuels while still ignoring the warnings of the scientific community that time is running out to limit greenhouse gas emissions. greenhouse gases and avoid catastrophic climate change.
"I am proud that we are the world's largest producer of oil and gas", he said at a meeting on December 11 to announce a project to dismantle the drinking water rules of the Obama era. "I am proud of the fact that we will still improve. Because when America thrives, the world is safer. "
Unsurprisingly, critics view its impending exit as an obvious attempt to avoid scrutiny by House Democrats.
Get off now "could spare Zinke some embarrassment, but that will not reduce the need to monitor the mismanagement of the administration in the interior," said Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va .) in a declaration .
Austin Evers, Executive Director of the American Oversight Watch Group, reminds Zinke that resigning from his position does not end investigations by the Department of Justice.
"For all his braggart, Ryan Zinke did not have the courage nor the integrity to face the blame, to leave the city as soon as it was examined" said Evers. "Unfortunately for the American people, Zinke leaves behind a deputy secretary with the same ethical concerns. It is high time that the sun's rays focus on Assistant Secretary David Bernhardt. We will see if he has the backbone to answer the questions that Zinke was missing.
Former lobbyist for oil and gas, Bernhardt played a key role in many regulatory revolutions during Zinke's tenure in the agency.
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