WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday evening that he would nominate North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as his Secretary of the Interior.

During a speech at an America First Policy Institute dinner held at Mar-a-Lago, Trump hinted at this decision, stating he would be appointing Burgum to a “very big position.” Soon after, he confirmed the news, revealing Burgum as his choice to head the Department of the Interior.

Burgum, 68, is a wealthy software entrepreneur who previously ran for the Republican nomination against Trump last year but did not gain traction and withdrew from the race in December before voting began.

Despite his previous campaign struggles, Burgum caught Trump’s attention due to his emphasis on fossil fuels and energy topics, along with his media presence. The Trump campaign increasingly utilized Burgum as a speaker at rallies to advocate for a second Trump term and criticize outgoing President Joe Biden. Initially, he was also considered for the unfilled position of Secretary of Energy.

The Department of the Interior handles federal lands, including national parks and monuments, and manages various programs related to federal commitments to Native tribes. North Dakota is home to five federally recognized tribes.

As governor, Burgum made efforts to strengthen ties with the Native tribes in North Dakota, including passing a law that codifies the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, which prioritizes placing Native American children with Native families.

During his campaign, Trump has promoted the idea of making undeveloped lands available for fossil fuel extraction.

Environmental advocates quickly criticized Trump’s choice. Kierán Suckling, the executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity, stated that “Burgum will be a disastrous Secretary of the Interior who’ll sacrifice our public lands and endangered wildlife for the benefit of the fossil fuel industry.”

Although initially seen as an independent-minded Republican during his governorship, Burgum has recently adopted Trump’s hardline views and alignment with MAGA politics. Trump had even considered Burgum as a potential vice-presidential candidate before ultimately selecting JD Vance.

Burgum’s tenure as governor will conclude next month with the inauguration of Governor-elect Kelly Armstrong, a Republican congressman.

Presently, Burgum’s net worth exceeds $100 million, as reported by Forbes. He founded Kilbourne Group, a real estate firm in Fargo, and co-founded Arthur Ventures, a software venture capital firm located in Minneapolis. Furthermore, he serves as board chairman for Atlassian and SuccessFactors.