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Ryan Zinke

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Article Genealogy
Parent: United States Department of the Interior Hop 4
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Ryan Zinke
NameRyan Zinke
CaptionOfficial portrait, 2017
Office52nd United States Secretary of the Interior
PresidentDonald Trump
Term startMarch 1, 2017
Term endJanuary 2, 2019
PredecessorSally Jewell
SuccessorDavid Bernhardt
Office1Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Montana's at-large district
Term start1January 3, 2015
Term end1March 1, 2017
Predecessor1Steve Daines
Successor1Greg Gianforte
State senate2Montana
District22nd
Term start22009
Term end22011
Predecessor2Dan Weinberg
Successor2Jonathan Windy Boy
Birth date1 November 1961
Birth placeBozeman, Montana, U.S.
PartyRepublican
SpouseLolita Hand, 1992
EducationUniversity of Oregon (BS), National University (MBA), University of San Diego (MS)
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
Serviceyears1985–2008
RankCommander
BattlesIraq War, War in Afghanistan
AwardsBronze Star (2), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit

Ryan Zinke is an American politician and former United States Navy officer who served as the 52nd United States Secretary of the Interior from 2017 to 2019 under President Donald Trump. Previously, he represented Montana's at-large congressional district in the United States House of Representatives and served in the Montana Senate. His tenure at the United States Department of the Interior was marked by significant policy shifts favoring energy development and was accompanied by multiple inspector general investigations.

Early life and education

Ryan Zinke was born in Bozeman, Montana, and grew up in the nearby town of Whitefish, Montana. He attended Whitefish High School where he was a standout athlete, earning all-state honors in football and winning a state championship in wrestling. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the University of Oregon, where he also played on the football team as a walk-on. He later earned a Master of Business Administration from National University and a Master of Science in global leadership from the University of San Diego.

Military career

Commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in 1985, Zinke served 23 years as a Navy SEAL, attaining the rank of commander. His military service included deployments during the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan, where he commanded SEAL Team One and served as a special operations officer for the United States Special Operations Command. His decorations include two Bronze Star medals, the Legion of Merit, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He retired from active duty in 2008.

Political career

Zinke entered politics upon his return to Montana, serving as a state senator from 2009 to 2011. In 2014, he was elected as the Republican representative for Montana's at-large congressional district to the United States House of Representatives, succeeding Steve Daines. In Congress, he served on the Armed Services Committee and the Natural Resources Committee, advocating for veterans' affairs and natural resource development. He resigned his House seat in March 2017 upon confirmation as United States Secretary of the Interior.

Tenure as U.S. Secretary of the Interior

Nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate, Zinke pursued an "energy dominance" agenda, prioritizing fossil fuel leasing on public land and in offshore waters. He oversaw the reduction of several national monuments, including Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and advocated for increased access for mining, logging, and drilling. His tenure faced scrutiny from the Interior Department's inspector general over travel expenditures and potential conflicts of interest. He resigned in January 2019 amid ongoing investigations.

Post-cabinet career

Following his departure from the Trump administration, Zinke founded a consulting firm, Continental Divide International, and remained active in political advocacy. In 2022, he was again elected to the United States House of Representatives, this time representing Montana's 1st congressional district, which was newly created following the 2020 United States census. He serves on the Appropriations Committee and the Natural Resources Committee.

Political positions

Zinke is a conservative Republican whose platform emphasizes energy independence, public lands access for development, and a strong national defense. He supports the Second Amendment, has voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and is a proponent of border security. On environmental issues, he has expressed skepticism about the extent of human-caused climate change and has rolled back regulations on methane emissions and endangered species protections while in office.

Personal life

Zinke married Lolita Hand in 1992, and they have three children. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and skiing. He is the author of the book *American Commander*, which details his experiences in the military. Zinke and his family reside in Whitefish, Montana.

Category:1961 births Category:Living people Category:United States Secretaries of the Interior Category:United States Navy SEALs Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Montana