Shaw: Analyzing the selection of Doug Burgum to be Interior secretary

Donald Trump selecting North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to be secretary of the Interior and “energy czar” is a good move. Burgum is smart, experienced and connected in these areas. Perhaps more importantly, Burgum is capable and competent, unlike unfit Cabinet nominees such as Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr.

Yes, Burgum has been a Trump bootlicker, and was very good at it. He made numerous appearances on television, while making excuses for Trump’s transgressions. He campaigned all over the country for Trump. He constantly traveled to Mar-a-Lago. He even attended Trump’s criminal trial in New York. In essence, Burgum bet on the right horse and was rewarded.

Trump was undoubtedly attracted to Burgum’s experience as a wealthy businessman and his connections to the oil industry. However, the most important thing to Trump is loyalty, and Burgum clearly demonstrated that. Burgum has come a long way since he said he wouldn’t do business with Trump.

Part of Burgum’s responsibility will be to oversee the National Park Service. Hopefully, Burgum will put an end to attempts to remove wild horses from Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota.

Burgum will also oversee the Bureau of Indian Affairs. That’s a good fit, as Burgum has impressively reached out to Native Americans in North Dakota.

Burgum’s nomination comes at a time when oil production is at record highs. However, Trump’s position of “Drill, baby, drill” could cause major problems for the environment. Will Burgum push for drilling for oil and gas or a refinery in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge? How about near Theodore Roosevelt National Park? How about in other protected federal lands?

Any of those scenarios would be very damaging.

Following Trump’s lead, Burgum would likely move to abolish climate rules and eliminate subsidies for clean energy. That would be alarming.

Burgum should easily be confirmed by the Senate, and it will be good to have a North Dakotan in the Cabinet. However, by working so closely with Trump, Burgum’s words will prove to be prophetic when he said, “You’re judged by the company you keep.”

Good to hear that Sen. Kevin Cramer says the allegations against Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for Defense secretary, are “very concerning.” According to a police report, Hegseth allegedly committed a disturbing violent sexual assault and then paid off the victim. Hegseth is also unqualified for the job.

Sen. Tina Smith got it right when she told the Minnesota Star Tribune that Hegseth has “zero experience managing on this scale.”

Thanks so much for once again voting me “Best Columnist of the Red River Valley.” I am truly humbled, especially because there are several other outstanding columnists in this area. It’s an honor to have this platform, and it’s very gratifying to know that I am connecting with you, the readers.

InForum columnist Jim Shaw is a former WDAY TV reporter and former KVRR TV news director.