Inside Doug Burgum's Interior Department: Staff exodus and secrecy claims surface

US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is facing growing criticism from former officials who claim the department has become increasingly secretive, experienced a significant loss of experienced staff and developed a difficult workplace culture under his leadership, according to a Politico report.

The report, based on interviews with former Interior Department officials and industry figures, says several employees who initially welcomed Burgum's appointment in 2025 because of his business and executive background are now questioning the department's direction. Former staffers told Politico they believe decision-making has become more centralised, while experienced career officials have had little influence over major policy discussions.

Wave of departures fuels questions over department stability

According to Politico, the Interior Department has seen a series of high-profile departures since Burgum assumed office. Those who have left include senior legal officials, top energy leaders, congressional affairs staff and members of the secretary's leadership team.


The report also notes that the department's workforce has declined by nearly 14% following workforce reduction initiatives, voluntary buyouts and early retirement programmes introduced during the Trump administration.

Former officials interviewed by Politico said the shrinking workforce has placed additional pressure on an agency responsible for managing national parks, federal lands and natural resources across the United States.

Allegations of secrecy inside the agency

One of the most serious concerns highlighted in Politico's report involves what former officials describe as an increasing culture of secrecy.

According to the report, some employees were allegedly asked to sign non-disclosure agreements, while former staffers claimed officials increasingly relied on disappearing messages through encrypted communication platforms for internal conversations. Others alleged that official documents were routinely destroyed, raising concerns about record-keeping practices.

Several former employees told Politico they believed written communications were being deliberately minimised, although the Interior Department has strongly rejected those claims.

Interior Department rejects accusations

The Interior Department has firmly denied the allegations reported by Politico.

Department spokesperson Katie Martin described the claims as false and defended Burgum's leadership, saying he has built a high-performing team while advancing the administration's priorities, including expanding oil and gas leasing and supporting national park operations.

The department also denied claims that Burgum sought additional classified facilities or used private email accounts for official government business, insisting all federal record management requirements are being followed, according to Politico.

The White House also backed Burgum, with officials praising his role in advancing President Donald Trump's energy agenda and describing him as a key member of the administration, the report said.

Leadership team comes under fresh criticism

Beyond Burgum himself, several former officials interviewed by Politico criticised the management style of senior aides, particularly Chief of Staff JoDee Hanson.

Some former employees alleged that internal management practices contributed to declining morale and encouraged political appointees to leave the department. Hanson did not publicly respond to the allegations, while the Interior Department defended her professionalism and rejected claims of inappropriate behaviour, according to the report.

Reflecting Pool controversy adds to pressure

The scrutiny comes as Burgum remains involved in a separate dispute surrounding the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

According to Politico, the controversy escalated after Washington's top federal prosecutor, Jeanine Pirro, moved to dismiss criminal charges against several defendants accused of vandalising the site. Court filings reportedly argued that Interior Department officials failed to provide evidence showing the damage may have resulted from construction errors rather than deliberate vandalism.

The report says the disagreement has triggered tensions between federal prosecutors and Interior officials over how information relating to the project was handled.

Ethics and transparency questions continue

Politico also highlighted renewed scrutiny surrounding senior Interior official Karen Budd-Falen, whose previous financial interests and ethics disclosures have drawn attention in recent months.

The report says Budd-Falen received a partial ethics waiver allowing her to work on certain grazing policy matters despite longstanding ranching interests. The Interior Department has maintained that she has complied with all applicable ethics rules and legal requirements.

Political spotlight intensifies

The allegations outlined in Politico's report come at a sensitive time for the Interior Department, which has played a central role in implementing the Trump administration's energy and public lands agenda.

While former officials interviewed by Politico argue that declining staff numbers, leadership turnover and concerns over transparency have weakened the agency, the administration continues to defend Burgum's record, pointing to expanded energy development and broader policy achievements as evidence that the department remains on course.

With conflicting accounts emerging from former employees and current leadership, questions over management, transparency and institutional stability are likely to remain in focus as scrutiny of the department continues.