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DOGE operative Tyler Hassen, a former oil executive, has been given full control of the Interior department’s organization and staffing. But according to reporting from Associated Press, he hasn’t divested his energy investments or filed an ethics commitment to break ties with companies that pose a conflict of interest.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum named Hassen the assistant secretary for policy, management, and budget in March, but changed his title to “principal deputy assistant secretary.” While an assistant secretary requires Senate approval and an ethics commitment to resign positions that would create a conflict of interest, a principal deputy does not. “It’s a dereliction of duty to offload decisions about staffing and funding at the Interior Department to someone who hasn’t even been confirmed by the Senate,” said Kate Groetzinger, Center for Western Priorities communications manager.
Hassen's financial disclosure reveals he made almost $4 million annually from Basin Holdings, an enterprise involved in the manufacture, sale, and servicing of oil rigs worldwide. Hassen said he sold his equity in Basin Holdings companies and is being paid in installments through June 2026. Hassen also owns hundreds of thousands of dollars of stocks in companies involved in cryptocurrency mining, security, natural gas, pipelines, and lithium mining.
Bureau of Land Management removes top official
Security officers escorted a top Bureau of Land Management official out of the agency’s building on Tuesday. Mike Nedd—a 30-year BLM employee who serves as deputy director for administration and programs—reportedly instructed BLM employees to ignore a memo from former DOGE staffer Stephanie Holmes. The memo ordered staff to stop temporarily filling in for vacant positions and return to their official permanent positions. Nedd told staff to ignore the memo, saying it would have resulted in fewer positions being filled, which would undermine President Donald Trump’s promise to boost domestic fossil fuel and minerals production. These events unfolded at a chaotic time for BLM as President Trump has yet to nominate a BLM director after oil and gas advocate Kathleen Sgamma abruptly withdrew her nomination in April.
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They’re saying everything’s fine, but I don’t think one person in the park service believes that. And all the people I talk to say it’s really traumatic and it’s in crisis mode.”
