Doug Burgum Confirms He Wants to Sell Off America’s Public Lands to the Highest Bidder

HELENA, MT — Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is once again making clear he has no interest in protecting America’s public lands. Instead, he wants to cash them out and believes anyone who thinks otherwise is financially illiterate. In a recent interview, Burgum described public lands as “America’s balance sheet” and insisted this administration must “get the appropriate return” on them. These comments fly in the face of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the landmark 1976 law that mandates public lands be retained in federal ownership and managed for the benefit of all Americans under the multiple use mandate, not sold off or exploited for corporate gain. 

“Doug Burgum’s ignorance is not an excuse to dismantle our public lands and parks. His problem is that he only views our outdoors as a line item on a balance sheet, and would rather see them sold and privatized for corporate profit than preserved and protected, like the overwhelming majority of Americans,” said Jayson O’Neill, spokesperson for Save Our Parks. “Federal law explicitly declares that public lands shall remain in federal ownership for the benefit of all Americans, not liquidated so Burgum’s ultra-wealthy developer friends can make a quick buck. His comments aren’t just offensive to the millions who benefit from and enjoy these lands, they’re a direct assault on a 50-year bipartisan legal framework that ensures our lands are accessible now but also to future generations.”

After gutting the workforce managing our parks and public lands through DOGE, erasing history and censoring science, playing God with endangered species, consolidating power under his authority, and now signaling a fire sale of our shared natural heritage, Burgum has made his priorities crystal clear — our parks and public lands are on the chopping block under his fail-by-design plan. 

Burgum’s failed mismanagement wasn't enough, so he’s proposed a disastrous budget that slashes resources to completely undermine our parks and public lands. The least transparent Interior Secretary in history is allegedly making a tour of Western States without public notices or any public events. 

Additional Background:

• “Financially Illiterate” Doug Burgum Ignores $1.3 Trillion Public Lands Economy; Gifting Special Interests License To Exploit

• The Revolving Door Spins Again: Doug Burgum and Scott Socha’s Corporate Takeover of America’s National Parks

• “Selloff Steve” Pearce Advances On Party-Line Vote Despite Overwhelming Public Opposition and Disqualifying Conflicts

• Burgum’s Mass Censorship Campaign Spreads As His Shady “Freedom 250” Scheme Pushing Revisionist History Hits The Road

To speak with Save Our Parks spokesperson Jayson O’Neill, email jayson@focalpointstrategygroup.com. 

###