13 December 2016

Trump reportedly offers Zinke Sec. of Interior post UPDATED

Politico has the details, reporting at 1300 MST that Trump offered Zinke the job and that Zinke is expected to accept when the flight he’s on lands. If true, Zinke’s appointment may be further proof that Trump is easily and deeply impressed by the crispness, confidence, and can-do attitude of career servicemen, and that he’s willing to tap mere commanders as well as bemedaled generals.

Trump could do much worse than Zinke. For example, Rob Bishop of Utah. Or Jennifer Fielder (a candidate for the Bureau of Land Management if the position’s not being reserved for Ammon Bundy?).

If Zinke becomes Secretary of the Interior, Gov. Bullock will appoint a replacement from a three-person list chosen by the Montana Republican Party. There’ll be plenty of competition.

Update. A vacancy in a U.S. House seat must be filled by a special election. See Tyler Evilsizer’s post at Intelligent Discontent, and Tom Lutey’s story at the Missoulian. Montana’s law, SB-169, that provided for an appointment to the House, was unconstitutional from the gitgo. If you’re wondering how in hell that bill got passed, I have the same question.

If Zinke moves to Interior, would he still run for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Jon Tester? That’s possible, but perhaps not that likely. Zinke’s move to Interior might also clear the way for a Senate run by Greg Gianforte.