Trump says Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke leaving administration at end of year

After serving for almost two years, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke will leave the administration at year’s end, President Donald Trump said on Saturday, Dec. 15. Trump tweeted that Zinke “accomplished much during his tenure” and that a replacement would be announced next week. The Cabinet post requires confirmation by the Senate. Zinke, a former Republican congressman from Montana, is leaving weeks before Democrats take control of the House, a shift in power that promised to intensify probes into his conduct. Zinke played a leading part in Trump’s efforts to roll back environmental regulations and promote domestic energy development. His departure comes amid staff shake-ups as Trump heads into his third year in office. On Friday, the president named budget director Mick Mulvaney as chief of staff.