Interior Secretary Zinke will be leaving his post at the end of the month, according to a tweet sent out by the President early Saturday morning.
In his tweet, President Trump said that Zinke “will be leaving the Administration at the end of the year after having served for a period of almost two years. Ryan has accomplished much during his tenure and I want to thank him for his service to our Nation.”
The shake-up at the Interior Department is part of a broader shake-up of his Cabinet and senior staff, according to The Hill. Trump has nominated William Barr to become the new attorney general following Jeff Sessions‘s ouster last month. Trump on Friday also named Mick Mulvaney, the current White House budget chief, as acting chief of staff to replace John Kelly who is leaving at the end of the month.
During his tenure at Interior, Secretary Zinke, a former Congressman from Montana, implemented several measures designed to enhance wildlife habitat conservation and increase public access to hunting and fishing opportunities.
“I know I speak for all members of SCI when I say how much we appreciate the leadership Secretary Zinke has shown in matters of wildlife conservation,” said Paul Babaz, President of Safari Club International. “He has led the way in assuring the federal government works hand in hand with state wildlife management professionals to conserve one of America’s greatest heritages – our wildlife.
“I am proud to serve on one of the advisory committees established by Secretary Zinke. As a fellow hunter, the Secretary truly understands the mindset and the needs of our country’s outdoor sportsmen and women. He will truly be missed,” Babaz concluded.
