Congress Must Examine Revolving-Door Former Interior Head David Bernhardt’s Foreign Special Interest Lobbying Influence

Memorandum: Congress Must Examine Revolving-Door Former Interior Head David Bernhardt’s Foreign Special Interest Lobbying Influence

To: Interested Parties

From: Save Our Parks 

Date: Monday, March 2, 2026

Contact: Jayson O’Neill, Save Our Parks Spokesperson

Former Trump officials are finding riches by lobbying for foreign-owned mining corporations. Case-in-point: David Bernhardt and his new lobby shop—The Bernhardt Group, LLC —which has collected nearly $3 million in fees from foreign corporate special interests in a mere seven months. Bernhardt’s business dealings raise new questions about how foreign nationals are influencing natural resource policy and politics in the U.S. 

This issue is particularly relevant as the Republican-controlled Senate is attempting to push through draconian legislation that will pave the way for Bernhardt’s Chilean-based mining client, Antofagasta’s Twin Metals, to build a massive copper mine next to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. In just the past three quarters, Bernhardt has collected over a quarter-million from the Chilean mining corporation, which has been rewarded by Republican members of Congress and the Trump administration. 

While some media attention has been given to Doug Burgum’s unprecedented special treatment for foreign mining corporations, the lobbyist greasing the wheels, peddling foreign influence, and securing sweetheart deals have largely been ignored by Congress. Just in the past year, Burgum’s Interior Department has taken policy action long promoted by Bernhardt and his foreign clients, including changes to bedrock environmental laws that ice the public and communities out of decisions, fast-tracked permitting approvals that disregard environmental standards, and taxpayer-funded equity-stake financing for private, foreign-backed mining projects.

Since David Bernhardt, Trump’s former cabinet member, announced the formation of his new lobby shop and filled it with over a handful of other revolving-door former Interior and congressional officials, the firm has secured a raft full of high-paying lobbying contracts, many of whom he previously represented, including at least 14 foreign-owned extractive corporations. It’s clear this revolving-door lobbyist is buttering his bread with foreign-first special interests, like his former colleague Karen Budd-Falen.

Congress has a responsibility to the American public to shine light on David Bernhardt and his foreign clients, and deserve answers to the following questions:

• To what extent are foreign nationals impacting the priorities and practice at The Bernhardt Group, LLC?

• As a lobbyist working on behalf of the Chilean-owned company, Antofagasta’s Twin Metals, is David Bernhardt or anyone associated with The Bernhardt Group, LLC engaged in indirect or grassroots lobbying? 

• Has David Bernhardt or anyone at his firm had communications with executives, board members, or representatives of foreign parent companies regarding U.S. policy strategy — and will they disclose those communications? How about with Antofagasta Chairman Jean-Paul Luksic, the Chilean billionaire who has taken an interest in the Twin Metals mining project.

• Has anyone affiliated with The Bernhard Groups communicated with the Chilean government or other foreign governments with interest in one of the projects or clients The Bernhardt Group, LLC represents?

• To what extent do foreign nationals participate in shaping lobbying strategy at The Bernhardt Group when the objective is to influence U.S. public lands policy?

• Does The Bernhardt Group advise foreign corporate clients on how to structure public messaging, grassroots outreach, or coalition-building campaigns related to federal permitting or environmental review?

• Has David Bernhardt or anyone associated with The Bernhardt Group discussed U.S. mineral policy strategy directly with representatives of the Chilean government in connection with work for Antofagasta?

To see additional background research and speak with Save Our Parks spokesperson Jayson O’Neill, email jayson@focalpointstrategygroup.com.

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