This is an informational overview based on the Wikipedia article on the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

Guardians of the Land

An authoritative overview of the stewardship of America's natural and cultural heritage, detailing the role and history of the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

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The Secretary's Mandate

Stewardship of Federal Lands

The United States Secretary of the Interior is the principal advisor to the President on federal land and natural resource issues. This cabinet-level position oversees the Department of the Interior, which is responsible for managing and conserving the vast majority of federal land, along with the nation's natural resources.

Foundational Legislation

The Department's authority and operational framework are established by federal law, notably 43 U.S.C. ยง 1451, which outlines the creation and responsibilities of the Department. This legislation provides the legal basis for the Secretary's extensive duties.

Cabinet Membership

As a member of the United States Cabinet, the Secretary of the Interior reports directly to the President. This position holds significant influence over national policy concerning public lands, Native American affairs, water resources, wildlife, and historical preservation.

Departmental Scope

Key Agencies

The Department of the Interior is a vast organization comprising numerous bureaus and agencies, each with specific mandates. Prominent among these are:

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • United States Geological Survey (USGS)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
  • Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)
  • United States Bureau of Reclamation
  • United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Geographic Focus

Given the significant impact of Interior's policies in the Western United States, Secretaries have historically been appointed from western states. This regional connection underscores the Department's deep involvement with the unique land management challenges and opportunities present in these areas.

Economic Significance

The Department manages resources that are vital to the national economy, including minerals, energy, grazing lands, and water infrastructure. The Secretary's decisions influence energy production, conservation efforts, and the economic well-being of communities dependent on these resources.

Current Leadership

Incumbent Secretary

The current United States Secretary of the Interior is Doug Burgum. He assumed office on February 1, 2025, bringing his experience in business and public service to the role.

Style: Mr. Secretary (informal), The Honorable (formal).

Seat of Government

The Department's headquarters are located in Washington, D.C., serving as the central hub for national policy coordination and administration. The Secretary's seat of operations is here, directing the vast network of federal lands and resources across the nation.

Appointment and Term

The Secretary is appointed by the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate. There is no fixed term length, meaning the Secretary serves at the pleasure of the President.

Historical Context

Establishment

The Department of the Interior was established on March 3, 1849. Its creation reflected a growing need to consolidate the management of federal lands and natural resources, which had previously been dispersed among various government departments.

First Secretary

The first Secretary of the Interior was Thomas Ewing, who served from March 8, 1849, to July 22, 1850. His tenure marked the beginning of a new era in federal resource management.

Evolution of Role

Over time, the Department's responsibilities have expanded significantly, encompassing environmental protection, cultural resource management, and the administration of programs affecting Native American tribes. The Secretary's role has evolved to address complex contemporary challenges.

Line of Succession

Presidential Succession

The Secretary of the Interior is positioned within the U.S. presidential line of succession. Following the Vice President, Speaker of the House, and President pro tempore of the Senate, the Secretary ranks eighth in the line of succession to the Presidency.

Internal Succession

Within the Department, the Deputy Secretary of the Interior is first in line to succeed the Secretary. This is followed by other high-ranking officials, such as the Solicitor of the Interior and various Assistant Secretaries, ensuring continuity of leadership.

  • Deputy Secretary of the Interior
  • Solicitor of the Interior
  • Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget
  • Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management
  • Assistant Secretary for Water and Science
  • Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks
  • Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
  • Director, Security, Safety, and Law Enforcement, Bureau of Reclamation
  • Central Region Director, US Geological Survey
  • Intermountain Regional Director, National Park Service
  • Region 6 (Mountain-Prairie Region) Director, US Fish and Wildlife Service
  • Colorado State Director, Bureau of Land Management
  • Regional Solicitor, Rocky Mountain Region

Statutory Basis

The line of succession is codified by federal law, ensuring a clear and orderly transition of authority in the event of the Secretary's absence or inability to perform duties. This framework is essential for the continuous operation of the Department.

List of Secretaries

Historical Overview

The role of Secretary of the Interior has been held by numerous individuals since the Department's inception in 1849. Each Secretary has brought their unique perspective and priorities to the management of America's public lands and resources.

The following table provides a glimpse into the lineage of Secretaries, highlighting their party affiliation, state of residence, and tenure:

# Name Party State Took Office Left Office President
1 Thomas Ewing Whig Ohio Mar 8, 1849 Jul 22, 1850 Taylor / Fillmore
2 Thomas McKennan Whig Pennsylvania Aug 15, 1850 Aug 26, 1850 Fillmore
3 Alexander Stuart Whig Virginia Sep 14, 1850 Mar 7, 1853 Fillmore
4 Robert McClelland Democratic Michigan Mar 8, 1853 Mar 9, 1857 Pierce
5 Jacob Thompson Democratic Mississippi Mar 10, 1857 Jan 8, 1861 Buchanan
6 Caleb Smith Republican Indiana Mar 5, 1861 Dec 31, 1862 Lincoln
7 John Usher Republican Indiana Jan 1, 1863 May 15, 1865 Lincoln / A. Johnson
8 James Harlan Republican Iowa May 16, 1865 Aug 31, 1866 A. Johnson
9 Orville Browning Republican Illinois Sep 1, 1866 Mar 4, 1869 A. Johnson
10 Jacob Cox Republican Ohio Mar 5, 1869 Oct 31, 1870 Grant
11 Columbus Delano Republican Ohio Nov 1, 1870 Sep 30, 1875 Grant
12 Zachariah Chandler Republican Michigan Oct 19, 1875 Mar 11, 1877 Grant
13 Carl Schurz Republican Missouri Mar 12, 1877 Mar 7, 1881 Hayes
14 Samuel Kirkwood Republican Iowa Mar 8, 1881 Apr 17, 1882 Garfield / Arthur
15 Henry Teller Republican Colorado Apr 18, 1882 Mar 3, 1885 Arthur
16 Lucius Lamar Democratic Mississippi Mar 6, 1885 Jan 10, 1888 Cleveland
17 William Vilas Democratic Wisconsin Jan 16, 1888 Mar 6, 1889 Cleveland
18 John Noble Republican Missouri Mar 7, 1889 Mar 6, 1893 B. Harrison
19 Hoke Smith Democratic Georgia Mar 6, 1893 Sep 1, 1896 Cleveland
20 David Francis Democratic Missouri Sep 3, 1896 Mar 5, 1897 Cleveland
21 Cornelius Bliss Republican New York Mar 6, 1897 Feb 19, 1899 McKinley
22 Ethan Hitchcock Republican Missouri Feb 20, 1899 Mar 4, 1907 McKinley / T. Roosevelt
23 James Garfield Republican Ohio Mar 5, 1907 Mar 4, 1909 T. Roosevelt
24 Richard Ballinger Republican Washington Mar 6, 1909 Mar 12, 1911 Taft
25 Walter Fisher Republican Illinois Mar 13, 1911 Mar 5, 1913 Taft
26 Franklin Lane Democratic California Mar 6, 1913 Feb 29, 1920 Wilson
27 John Payne Democratic Illinois Mar 15, 1920 Mar 4, 1921 Wilson
28 Albert Fall Republican New Mexico Mar 5, 1921 Mar 4, 1923 Harding
29 Hubert Work Republican Colorado Mar 5, 1923 Jul 24, 1928 Harding / Coolidge
30 Roy West Republican Illinois Jul 25, 1928 Mar 4, 1929 Coolidge
31 Ray Lyman Wilbur Republican California Mar 5, 1929 Mar 4, 1933 Hoover
32 Harold Ickes Democratic Illinois Mar 4, 1933 Feb 15, 1946 F. D. Roosevelt / Truman
33 Julius Krug Democratic Wisconsin Mar 18, 1946 Dec 1, 1949 Truman
34 Oscar Chapman Democratic Colorado Dec 1, 1949 Jan 20, 1953 Truman
35 Douglas McKay Republican Oregon Jan 21, 1953 Apr 15, 1956 Eisenhower
36 Fred Seaton Republican Nebraska Jun 8, 1956 Jan 20, 1961 Eisenhower
37 Stewart Udall Democratic Arizona Jan 21, 1961 Jan 20, 1969 Kennedy / L. B. Johnson
38 Wally Hickel Republican Alaska Jan 24, 1969 Nov 25, 1970 Nixon
39 Rogers Morton Republican Maryland Jan 29, 1971 Apr 30, 1975 Nixon / Ford
40 Stanley Hathaway Republican Wyoming Jun 12, 1975 Oct 9, 1975 Ford
41 Thomas Kleppe Republican North Dakota Oct 17, 1975 Jan 20, 1977 Ford
42 Cecil Andrus Democratic Idaho Jan 23, 1977 Jan 20, 1981 Carter
43 James Watt Republican Colorado Jan 23, 1981 Nov 8, 1983 Reagan
44 William Clark Republican California Nov 18, 1983 Feb 7, 1985 Reagan
45 Donald Hodel Republican Oregon Feb 8, 1985 Jan 20, 1989 Reagan
46 Manuel Lujan Jr. Republican New Mexico Feb 3, 1989 Jan 20, 1993 G. H. W. Bush
47 Bruce Babbitt Democratic Arizona Jan 22, 1993 Jan 19, 2001 Clinton
48 Gale Norton Republican Colorado Jan 31, 2001 Mar 31, 2006 G. W. Bush
49 Dirk Kempthorne Republican Idaho May 26, 2006 Jan 19, 2009 G. W. Bush
50 Ken Salazar Democratic Colorado Jan 20, 2009 Apr 12, 2013 Obama
51 Sally Jewell Democratic Washington Apr 12, 2013 Jan 20, 2017 Obama
52 Ryan Zinke Republican Montana Mar 1, 2017 Jan 2, 2019 Trump
53 David Bernhardt Republican Colorado Apr 11, 2019 Jan 20, 2021 Trump
54 Deb Haaland Democratic New Mexico Mar 16, 2021 Jan 20, 2025 Biden
55 Doug Burgum Republican North Dakota Feb 1, 2025 Present Trump

Department Website

For the most current information regarding the Department of the Interior and its leadership, please refer to the official website.

Visit DOI.gov โ†—๏ธ

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References

References

  1.  5ย U.S.C.ย ร‚ยงย 5312
A full list of references for this article are available at the United States Secretary of the Interior Wikipedia page

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AI-Generated Content Notice

This content has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence model and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is based on publicly available data, which may not always be fully comprehensive, accurate, or up-to-date.

This is not official government advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for consulting official government sources, legal counsel, or professional advice. Always verify critical information with primary sources.

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