Gabby Brown, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- Today, The Hill reported that a Trump political appointee will soon take over as the head inspector general (IG) overseeing investigations at the Department of the Interior. Suzanne Israel Tufts previously worked at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she replaced a career staffer who was demoted after refusing to sign off on HUD Secretary Ben Carson’s purchase of a $31,000 dining set.
In his 18 months at the agency, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has become the most investigated Interior Secretary ever, facing inquiries into a number of attempts to use his position to enrich himself and his friends at American taxpayers’ expense, as well as shady dealings with the chairman of Halliburton.
In response, Athan Manuel, Director of the Sierra Club’s Lands Protection Program, issued the following statement:
“Now that Scott Pruitt is gone, Zinke has distinguished himself as the most corrupt member of Trump’s cabinet through his shady deals and lavish spending, which in this administration is no easy feat. Bringing in a Trump political appointee is a blatant attempt to shield Zinke from meaningful investigation into his wrongdoing. The IG should be a watchdog working for the American people’s best interests, not another political player taking orders from Donald Trump.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.