Ryan Zinke

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Ryan Zinke
Ryan Zinke official portrait.jpg
52nd United States Secretary of the Interior
Assumed office
March 1, 2017
President Donald Trump
Deputy Dave Bernhardt
Preceded by Sally Jewell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Montana's at-large district
In office
January 3, 2015 – March 1, 2017
Preceded by Steve Daines
Succeeded by Greg Gianforte
Member of the Montana Senate
from the 2nd district
In office
January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by Dan Weinberg
Succeeded by Dee Brown
Personal details
Born Ryan Keith Zinke
(1961-11-01) November 1, 1961 (age 55)
Bozeman, Montana, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Lolita Hand
Children 3
Education University of Oregon (BS)
National University (MBA)
University of San Diego (MS)
Net worth $800,000[1] (2016)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch  United States Navy
Years of service 1986–2008
Rank US-O5 insignia.svg Commander
Unit Naval Special Warfare Development Group.jpg SEAL Team Six
SEAL Team One
NSWU-2
Naval Special Warfare Center
Awards Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg Bronze Star (2)
Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2)
Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg Meritorious Service Medal (4)
Joint Service Commendation Medal ribbon.svg Joint Service Commendation Medal (2)
Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg Army Commendation Medal
...

Ryan Keith Zinke /ˈzɪŋki/ (born November 1, 1961) is an American politician and businessman who is currently the 52nd United States Secretary of the Interior, serving in the Trump administration. Zinke served as the U.S. representative for Montana's at-large congressional district from 2015 until 2017. From 2009 to 2013, he served as a member of the Montana Senate, representing the 2nd district.[2]

Zinke played college football at the University of Oregon and earned a B.S. degree in geology. He also has an M.B.A. and an M.S. in global leadership. He was a U.S. Navy SEAL from 1986 until 2008, retiring with the rank of commander.[3]

Zinke was the first Navy SEAL to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.[4] He formerly served as a member on the Natural Resources Committee and the Armed Services Committee.[5] As a member of Congress, Zinke supported the use of ground troops in the Middle East to combat ISIL and opposed the Affordable Care Act, various environmental regulations, and the transfer of federal lands to individual states.

Then President-elect Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Zinke for the position of United States Secretary of the Interior on December 13, 2016. Zinke was confirmed on March 1, 2017, becoming the first Navy SEAL and the first Montanan since statehood to occupy a Cabinet position.[6][7]

Early life and education[edit]

Zinke was born in Bozeman, Montana and raised in Whitefish. He is the son of Jean Montana (Harlow) Petersen and Ray Dale Zinke, a plumber.[8][9] He was a Boy Scout and earned his Eagle Scout award.[10] He was a star athlete at Whitefish High School and accepted a football scholarship to the University of Oregon in Eugene; recruited as an outside linebacker, he switched to offense and was an undersized starting center for the Ducks of the Pac-12 under head coach Rich Brooks.[11][12] Zinke earned a B.S. in geology in 1984.[13] Zinke later earned an M.B.A. from National University in 1993 and an M.S. in global leadership from the University of San Diego in 2003.[13]

Military career[edit]

Zinke during his service in the U.S. Navy

Zinke served as a U.S. Navy SEAL from 1985 to 2008, retiring at the rank of commander.[14] Zinke graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training class 136 in February 1986[3] and subsequently served with SEAL TEAM ONE from 1986 to 1988. His next assignment was as a First Phase Officer of BUD/S before serving with United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG), from May 1991 to 1993.[11][15] Zinke then served as a Plans officer for Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe (CINCUSNAVEUR) and served a second tour with NSWDG as team leader, ground force commander, task force commander and current operations officer from 1996 to 1999.[11]

In the late 1990s, Zinke paid back the Navy $211 after improperly billing the government for personal travel expenses. Zinke's former commanding officer, now-retired Vice Admiral Albert M. Calland III, stated that as a result, Zinke received a June 1999 Fitness Report that blocked him from being promoted to a commanding officer position, or to the rank of captain.[16][17] Zinke acknowledged the error but maintains that the incident did not adversely affect his career.[16] His promotion from lieutenant commander to commander was approved the following year.[18]

From 1999 to 2001, Zinke served as executive officer (XO) for the Naval Special Warfare Unit Two and then as executive officer, Naval Special Warfare Center from 2001 to 2004. In 2004, Zinke was the deputy and acting commander of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula.[13] Zinke's campaign website stated that he was "the deputy and acting commander" of Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force–Arabian Peninsula and "led a force of more than 3,500 Special Operations personnel in Iraq" in 2004.[16] Retired Major General Michael S. Repass, who was Zinke's superior in Iraq, told the New York Times that these claims "might be a stretch" but that Zinke "did a good job" and was "a competent guy."[16]

Zinke was awarded two Bronze Stars for meritorious service in a combat zone,[16][19] four Meritorious Service Medals,[19] two Joint Service Commendation Medals, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals,[20] and an Army Commendation Medal.[20] Following his tours in Iraq, Zinke served "as the second-ranking officer (and briefly acting commander) of the main SEAL training center."[16] In 2006, Zinke was selected to establish the Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command, serving as "Dean" of the graduate school until his retirement from active duty in 2008.[13] The graduate school had 250 educators, offering over 43 college level courses to over 2,500 students annually at 15 different locations worldwide.[21] He retired from the Navy in 2008.[16][17]

Business ventures[edit]

In 2005, Zinke formed Continental Divide International, a property management and business development consulting company. Zinke's family members are officers of the company. In 2009, he formed the consulting company On Point Montana. Zinke served on the board of the oil pipeline company QS Energy (formerly Save the World Air) from 2012 to 2015. In November 2014, Zinke announced that he would pass Continental Divide to his family while remaining in an advisory role.[22]

Political career[edit]

Montana Senate[edit]

Zinke was elected to the Montana Senate in 2008, serving from 2009 to 2013, representing the city of Whitefish. When he served in the state senate, he "was widely seen as a moderate Republican" but subsequently drifted to the right.[23] Zinke was selected as chair of the Senate Education Committee and promoted technology in the classroom, rural access to education and local control over schools.[24] He also served on the Senate Finance and Claims Committee.[25] In his capacity as a Montana Senator, Zinke was also a member of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast and Leadership Caucus, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers sharing an appreciation for automobiles.[26][27]

Global warming and clean energy[edit]

In 2008, Zinke stated that he "support[s] increased coal production for electrical generation and believe[s] it can and should be done with adequate environmental safeguards," and that he "believe[s] the use of alternate energy sources and clean coal is preferred over petroleum based fuels."[28] In 2010, Zinke signed a letter calling global warming "a threat multiplier for instability in the most volatile regions of the world" and stating that "the clean energy and climate challenge is America's new space race." The letter spoke of "catastrophic" costs and "unprecedented economic consequences" that would result from failing to act on climate change and asked then-President Obama and then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to champion sweeping clean-energy and climate legislation.[29]

2012 campaign for lieutenant governor[edit]

Zinke was the running mate of Montana gubernatorial candidate Neil Livingstone in the 2012 election.[30] The Livingstone/Zinke ticket finished fifth out of seven in the Republican primary with 12,038 votes (8.8% of the vote).[31]

In 2012, Zinke founded the Super PAC Special Operations for America (SOFA) to support Mitt Romney's presidential campaign in the 2012 election. The political action committee raised over $100,000[32] and paid $28,258 to Continental Divide International, Zinke's company, for fundraising consulting.[33] Zinke announced he was resigning as Chairman of SOFA on September 30, 2013, with his friend, former Navy SEAL Gary Stubblefield taking his place.[32] While Zinke's financial disclosure report for 2014 listed him as the chairman of the super PAC, the super PAC had been making independent expenditures in support of Zinke's campaign since November 20, 2013.[33] In 2014, the Campaign Legal Center and Democracy 21 filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission regarding coordination between Zinke's campaign and the super PAC. As of December 2016, the FEC hadn't taken any action on the matter.[33]

2014 House election[edit]

See also: United States House of Representatives election in Montana, 2014

In the spring of 2014, Zinke announced his candidacy for Montana's at-large congressional district, a seat vacated when its Republican incumbent Rep. Steve Daines successfully sought a seat in the U.S. Senate.[34]

Zinke won a five-way Republican primary with 43,766 votes (33.25%) and faced Libertarian perennial candidate Mike Fellows and Democratic nominee John Lewis, a former State Director for long-time Democratic Sen. Max Baucus, in the general election. Zinke prevailed in the general election, winning 55.4% of the nearly 350,000 votes cast statewide.[35]

Criticism of Hillary Clinton[edit]

During the Republican primary, Zinke attracted attention for referring to Hillary Rodham Clinton as "the real enemy" and the "anti-Christ."[23][36] An issue that was raised in the primary race was abortion; Zinke touted his anti-abortion credentials and received the endorsement of the Montana Right to Life Association.[37]

Tenure in the House, 2015–2017[edit]

Zinke's official House photo

In Congress, Zinke supported the deployment of U.S. ground troops to combat ISIL, "abandoning" the Affordable Care Act, and cutting regulations.[23] He supported a Republican effort to repeal the estate tax.[38]

Education

In 2015, Zinke voted for an amendment proposed by Democratic Rep. Dave Loebsack from Iowa's 2nd congressional district that provided for the expansion of the use of digital learning through the establishment of a competitive grant program to implement and evaluate the results of technology-based learning practices.[39] The amendment passed 218-213.[40]

Environmental regulation[edit]

Zinke frequently voted in opposition to environmentalists on issues including coal extraction and oil and gas drilling.[41] He received a 4 percent lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters.[42]

Climate change[edit]

Zinke has vacillated on the issue of climate change.[43] In 2010, while in the state Senate, Zinke was one of nearly 1,200 state legislators who signed a letter to President Obama and Congress calling for "comprehensive clean energy jobs and climate change legislation."[43] Since 2010, however, Zinke has repeatedly expressed doubt about anthropogenic climate change; in an October 2014 debate, Zinke stated: "it's not a hoax, but it’s not proven science either."[43] During Senate confirmation hearings on his nomination as Interior Secretary, Zinke said that humans "influence" climate change, but did not acknowledge the scientific consensus that human activity is the dominant cause of climate change.[44]

Transfers of federal lands to states[edit]

Zinke broke with most Republicans on the issue of transfers of federal lands to the states, calling such proposals "extreme" and voting against them.[45] In July 2016, Zinke withdrew as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in protest of a plank in the party's draft platform which would require that "certain" public lands be transferred to state control. Zinke said that he endorses "better management of federal land" rather than transfers.[46]

Condemnation of anti-Semitic views[edit]

Zinke condemned the "anti-Semitic views" held by neo-Nazis planning a march in support of Richard B. Spencer in Whitefish, Montana in January 2017.[47]

Committee assignments[edit]

2016 House election[edit]

See also: United States House of Representatives election in Montana, 2016

In 2016, Zinke ran unopposed in the Republican primary on June 7 and faced Democratic nominee and Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau in the general election on November 8.[48] Zinke defeated Juneau with 56% of the vote.[49]

Secretary of the Interior[edit]

Zinke's "in the field" portrait as Secretary of Interior

Zinke was named as then-President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for United States Secretary of the Interior on December 13, 2016.[50] His nomination was approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in a 16–6 vote on January 31, 2017,[51] and he was confirmed by the full Senate in a 68–31 vote on March 1.[52][53] Among the U.S. Senators expressing support for Zinke's confirmation was Democratic Sen. Jon Tester from Montana.[54] Zinke was sworn into office by Vice President Mike Pence on the same day.[55]

The day after his swearing-in, Zinke rode a United States Park Police horse named Tonto several blocks to the entrance of the Department of Interior's Main Interior Building to his official welcoming ceremony.[56][57]

On May 24, 2017, in the Montana special election to fill Zinke's vacated House seat, Republican nominee Greg Gianforte defeated Democratic nominee Rob Quist, with 49.7% of the vote to Quist's 44.1%.[58]

Rescinded ban on lead bullets[edit]

On his first full day in office, Zinke rescinded the policy implemented on January 19, 2017, the last day of the Obama administration, by outgoing Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Director Dan Ashe that banned the use of lead bullets and lead fishing tackle in national wildlife refuges. Zinke said: "Over the past eight years … hunting, and recreation enthusiasts have seen trails closed and dramatic decreases in access to public lands across the board. It worries me to think about hunting and fishing becoming activities for the land-owning elite. This package of secretarial orders will expand access for outdoor enthusiasts and also make sure the community's voice is heard."[59] The regulation was meant to help prevent lead contamination of plants and animals.[60][61]

The move was opposed by the Humane Society of the United States,[60] the Center for Biological Diversity,[62] the National Audubon Society, and the Sierra Club. The rollback was praised by Sen. Steve Daines from Montana,[60] the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, the Safari Club International, the Wild Sheep Foundation, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the National Wild Turkey Foundation, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, the National Rifle Association,[63] and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.[62]

National Monument review[edit]

In April of 2017, Zinke began reviewing at least 27 national monuments to determine if any of the monuments could be reduced in size. On June 12, 2017, Zinke recommended that Bears Ears National Monument boundaries be scaled back. In August, Zinke added the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument to the planned list of monuments to be shrunk as well, while also calling for new management rules for multiple national monuments to decrease the number of actions that are prohibited within the monuments.[64][65][66]

Private flights and Hatch Act investigations[edit]

In September 2017, it was reported that on June 26, Zinke had chartered a jet belonging to an oil industry executive for a flight from Las Vegas to Kalispell, Montana. Zinke had been in Las Vegas to make an announcement related to public lands and to deliver a speech to the National Hockey League's Vegas Golden Knights, an expansion franchise owned by William P. Foley, a major donor to Zinke's congressional campaigns. The chartered flight cost taxpayers $12,375. Costs for commercial flights between Las Vegas and Kalispell typically start at $300. Upon arrival in Kalispell, Zinke, a native of nearby Whitefish, Montana, spent the night at his private residence, before delivering remarks at the annual meeting of the Western Governors Association the next morning, having lunch with association members, participating in a photoshoot for GQ, and conducting an interview for Outside Magazine. Zinke and his staffers returned to Washington on a commercial fight the next day.[67][68][69]

Zinke used private aircraft and performed political duties in relation to an April 1 trip between St. Croix and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Zinke had been in St. Croix on March 30 for an official meeting with Governor Kenneth Mapp during the day, and spent the night at a fundraiser for the Republican Party of the Virgin Islands, where donors of between $1,500 and $5,000 were allowed to have their pictures taken with Zinke. The following morning, Zinke took a private flight costing the government $3,150 to St. Thomas to celebrate the centennial of the Islands' handover to the United States by Denmark.[70]

In October 2017, the Interior Department's Inspector General launched an investigation into Zinke's use of three charter flights during his tenure as Interior Secretary. The United States Office of Special Counsel also announced that it would launch a Hatch Act investigation into Zinke's meeting with the Vegas Golden Knights NHL team.[71][69]

Flying of Secretarial flag[edit]

The Flag of the Secretary of the Interior

Since assuming his duties as Interior Secretary, Zinke has ordered Interior Department civil servants to fly his official Secretarial Flag over the Main Interior Building whenever he is present in the building, and that of his Deputy, David Bernhardt whenever Zinke is away and Bernhardt the highest ranking official present. According to the Washington Post, "no one can remember [the flag ritual] ever happening in the federal government."[72]

Personal life[edit]

Zinke is married to Lolita Hand Zinke.[73][74] He has three adult children, Wolfgang, Konrad and Jennifer.[75]

He splits his time between Washington, D.C.; Whitefish, Montana; and Santa Barbara, California, his wife's hometown.[75] Zinke is Lutheran.[76]

Electoral history[edit]

2014 Election for U.S. Representative of Montana's At-Large Congressional District
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ryan Zinke 203,871 55.41
Democratic John Lewis 148,690 40.41
Libertarian Mike Fellows 15,402 4.19
2016 Election for U.S. Representative of Montana's At-Large Congressional District [77]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ryan Zinke (inc.) 285,358 56.19
Democratic Denise Juneau 205,919 40.55
Libertarian Rick Breckenridge 16,554 3.26
Total votes 507,831 100%

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Peterson-Withorn, Chase (December 22, 2016). "Here's What Each Member Of Trump's $4.5 Billion Cabinet Is Worth". Forbes. 
  2. ^ "Montana Legislature: Ryan Zinke". 
  3. ^ a b Angel, Kristi. "Certificate of release". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved 2017-02-14. 
  4. ^ "Donald Trump picks Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke for interior secretary". Retrieved 2017-02-14. 
  5. ^ "Zinke favors increasing 'uses,' boosting production of federal lands". Spokesman.com. Retrieved 2017-02-14. 
  6. ^ Steele, Jeanette. "Zinke marks 1st Navy SEAL for Cabinet slot". sandiegouniontribune.com. Retrieved 2017-02-14. 
  7. ^ Killough, Ashley; Barrett, Ted (March 1, 2017). "Senate approves Trump's nominee for Interior". CNN. Retrieved 1 March 2017. 
  8. ^ Zinke, Ryan (29 November 2016). "American Commander: Serving a Country Worth Fighting For and Training the Brave Soldiers Who Lead the Way". HarperCollins Christian Publishing – via Google Books. 
  9. ^ "Jean Montana Harlow Petersen, 65". 
  10. ^ Zelisko, Larry (February 8, 2017). "Larry the Answer Guy: 4 Eagle Scouts in Trump's Cabinet". USA Today. Retrieved 27 July 2017. 
  11. ^ a b c Johnson, Charles S. (September 27, 2014). "U.S. House candidate profile: Ryan Zinke". Ravelli Republic. Hamilton, Montana. Retrieved December 14, 2016. 
  12. ^ "Starting lineups". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). September 24, 1983. p. 2C. 
  13. ^ a b c d Smita Nordwall (December 15, 2016). "Who is Ryan Zinke?". Voice of America. 
  14. ^ Johnson, Charles (August 9, 2014). "Zinke releases some Navy records on SEAL career; Dems seek more". Billings Gazette. Retrieved 13 April 2016. 
  15. ^ McEwen, Scott; Miniter, Richard (2014-02-25). Eyes on Target: Inside Stories from the Brotherhood of the U.S. Navy SEALs. Center Street. ISBN 9781455575688. 
  16. ^ a b c d e f g Christopher Drew & Sean D. Naylor, Interior Nominee Promotes Navy SEAL Career, While Playing Down ‘Bad Judgment', New York Times (January 16, 2017).
  17. ^ a b Charles S. Johnson, Zinke's Navy records show praise, lapses over travel claims, Missoulian (October 27, 2014).
  18. ^ "PN1110 — Navy". U.S. Congress. June 27, 2000. Retrieved 2017-03-02. 
  19. ^ a b "Zinke releases some Navy records on SEAL career; Dems seek more". Montana Standard. August 10, 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2016. 
  20. ^ a b Carter, Troy (September 10, 2014). "Review of Zinke's Navy record comes out clean". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. 
  21. ^ "Montana State Senator Ryan Zinke Joins STWA's Board of Directors :: QS Energy, Inc. (QSEP)". www.qsenergy.com. Retrieved 2017-02-14. 
  22. ^ Johnson, Charles S. (July 16, 2014). "U.S. House candidate Zinke amasses more wealth than Lewis". Missoulian. 
  23. ^ a b c Alan Zarembo, Does being a veteran help candidates? A Montana politician hopes so, Los Angeles Times (October 24, 2014).
  24. ^ "Zinke may have Trumped McMorris Rodgers for Interior secretary". Spokesman.com. Retrieved 2017-02-14. 
  25. ^ "Congressional Meet and Greet - Congressman Ryan Zinke (R-MT) | Stay Informed | K&L Gates". www.klgates.com. Retrieved 2017-02-14. 
  26. ^ "Examining the Fresh Faces in Congress | SEMA". www.sema.org. Retrieved 2017-02-14. 
  27. ^ "State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus | SEMA". www.sema.org. Retrieved 2017-02-14. 
  28. ^ "Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test". www.ontheissues.org. Retrieved 2017-02-14. 
  29. ^ Murphy, Tim (2016-12-14). "Trump's Interior Nominee Was for Climate Action Before He Was Against It". Mother Jones. Retrieved 2016-12-15. In 2010, as a member of the Montana Legislature, he ... asked President Barack Obama and then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to push through sweeping climate and clean-energy legislation. 
  30. ^ Johnson, Charles S. (July 10, 2011). "Livingstone taps Zinke as running mate". Billings Gazette. Retrieved March 11, 2012. 
  31. ^ "Archived Election Results". sos.mt.gov. Retrieved 2017-02-14. 
  32. ^ a b Redden, Molly (November 1, 2013). "GOP congressional candidate using campaign money scheme pioneered by…Stephen Colbert". Mother Jones. 
  33. ^ a b c Soo Rin Kim (December 14, 2016). "Zinke's nomination could bring questions about super PAC ties - OpenSecrets Blog". OpenSecrets. 
  34. ^ "Ryan Zinke Announces Statewide Bus Tour". 30 April 2014. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014. 
  35. ^ "Montana Election Results". New York Times. Retrieved 2 May 2016. 
  36. ^
  37. ^ Charles S. Johnson, Zinke’s abortion votes draw criticism, but he’s pro-life, Billings Gazette (May 4, 2014) (also published in the Missoulian).
  38. ^
  39. ^ Fletcher-Frye, Jessica. "Loebsack visits Columbus to discuss legislation for rural schools". The Quad-City Times. Retrieved 2017-02-14. 
  40. ^ Frederica, Wilson, (2015-02-26). "H.Amdt.42 to H.R.5 - 114th Congress (2015-2016) - Amendment Text". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2017-02-14. 
  41. ^ Juliet Eilperin, Trump taps Montana congressman Ryan Zinke as interior secretary, Washington Post (December 13, 2016).
  42. ^ "National Environmental Scorecard: Ryan Zinke". League of Conservation Voters. Retrieved 27 March 2017. 
  43. ^ a b c Chelsea Harvey, Trump's pick for Interior secretary can’t seem to make up his mind about climate change, Washington Post (December 21, 2016).
  44. ^ Chris Mooney & Andee Erickson, Ryan Zinke admits humans 'influence' climate change. But scientists say we're the 'dominant cause.', Washington Post (January 17, 2017).
  45. ^ Amy Harder & Michael C. Bender, Donald Trump Picks Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke as Interior Secretary, Wall Street Journal (December 13, 2016).
  46. ^ Lutey, Tom (July 15, 2016). "Zinke resigns delegate post over public lands disagreement; still will speak at RNC". billingsgazette.com. Billings Gazette. Retrieved July 16, 2016. 
  47. ^ Coffman, Keith; Johnson, Eric M. (December 27, 2016). "Montana Lawmakers Unite To Denounce Neo-Nazi Rally Plans". Forward. Retrieved December 29, 2016. 
  48. ^ Dennison, Mike. "Zinke and Juneau raising big bucks for U.S. House battle". KXLF. Retrieved 2 May 2016. 
  49. ^ "Election 2016 Results: Bullock Re-elected Governor, Zinke Cruises". Flathead Beacon. November 8, 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016. 
  50. ^ "Trump picks Montana Rep. Zinke for interior post". Associated Press. December 15, 2016. 
  51. ^ Fears, Darryl (January 31, 2017). "Ryan Zinke is one step closer to becoming interior secretary". Washington Post. 
  52. ^ Ashley Killough & Ted Barrett. "Senate approves Trump's nominee for Interior". CNN. 
  53. ^ Darryl Fears, Senate confirms Ryan Zinke as interior secretary, Washington Post (March 1, 2017).
  54. ^ http://www.washingtontimes.com, The Washington Times. "Jon Tester, Montana Democrat, backs interior pick Republican Ryan Zinke". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2017-02-22. 
  55. ^ Pence swears in Zinke as Interior Secretary, Reuters (March 1, 2017).
  56. ^ Haag, Matthew (2017-03-02). "The Interior Secretary, and the Horse He Rode in On". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-03-02. 
  57. ^ "Trump cabinet member trots through Washington on horseback". BBC News. 2 March 2017. 
  58. ^ "Montana Secretary of State". mtelectionresults.gov. Retrieved 2017-10-12. 
  59. ^ Wolfgang, Ben (March 2, 2017). "Trump’s team scraps Obama-era ban on lead bullets". The Washington Times. Retrieved June 13, 2017. 
  60. ^ a b c Cama, Timothy (March 2, 2017). "Interior secretary repeals ban on lead bullets". The Hill. Retrieved June 13, 2017. 
  61. ^ Reilly, Patrick (March 3, 2017). "Lead shot OK'd for federal lands: what does that mean for conservation?". Christian Science Monitor'. Retrieved June 13, 2017. 
  62. ^ a b "Lead Ammunition Poisons Wildlife But Too Expensive To Change, Hunters Say". NPR. February 20, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017. 
  63. ^ Daly, Matthew (March 2, 2017). "New Interior Secretary Zinke reverses lead-ammunition ban". Associated Press. Retrieved June 13, 2017. 
  64. ^ Fears, Darryl; Eilperin, Juliet (June 12, 2017). "Interior secretary recommends Trump consider scaling back Bears Ears National Monument". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 13, 2017. 
  65. ^ Under threat: the three national monuments in Trump's sights - The Guardian
  66. ^ Interior secretary recommends Trump alter at least three national monuments, including Bears Ears - The Washington Post
  67. ^ Drew Harwell and Lisa Rein (September 28, 2017). "Zinke took $12,000 charter flight home in oil executive’s plane, documents show". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 3 October 2017. 
  68. ^ Stanton, Zack (2017-09-28). "Interior Secretary Zinke traveled on charter, military planes". Politico. Retrieved 2017-10-13. 
  69. ^ a b Green, Miranda (2017-10-04). "Ryan Zinke, Golden Knights meeting under investigation". Amp.cnn.com. Retrieved 2017-10-13. 
  70. ^ Greenfield, Jeff (2017-10-05). "Trump's Interior chief 'hopping around from campaign event to campaign event'". Politico. Retrieved 2017-10-13. 
  71. ^ Associated Press (2017-10-02). "Ryan Zinke's use of charter flights under investigation by interior department | US news | The Guardian". Amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 2017-10-13. 
  72. ^ Rein, Lisa. "Where’s Zinke? The Interior secretary’s special flag offers clues". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2017-10-13. 
  73. ^ Andrew Harnik (March 1, 2017). "Photo Caption". Associated Press Photo. Also pictured is Ryan Zinke's wife Lolita Hand, center. 
  74. ^ Erin Loranger, Updated: Trump names Zinke's wife Lolita to VA landing team, Missoulian (November 28, 2016).
  75. ^ a b Julie Turkewitz, He Will Soon Run a Fifth of the Nation. Meet Ryan Zinke., New York Times (March 1, 2017).
  76. ^ "Members of Congress: Religious Affiliations". Pew Research Center Religion & Public Life Project. January 5, 2015. 
  77. ^ "2016 General Election". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved December 9, 2016. 

External links[edit]

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Steve Daines		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Montana's at-large congressional district
2015–2017		 Succeeded by
Greg Gianforte
Political offices
Preceded by
Sally Jewell		 United States Secretary of the Interior
2017–present		 Incumbent
Current U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Jeff Sessions
as Attorney General		 Order of Precedence of the United States
as Secretary of the Interior		 Succeeded by
Sonny Perdue
as Secretary of Agriculture
Current U.S. presidential line of succession
Preceded by
Jeff Sessions
as Attorney General		 8th in line
as Secretary of the Interior		 Succeeded by
Sonny Perdue
as Secretary of Agriculture
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ryan_Zinke&oldid=805180514"