Heinrich raises concerns about DOGE-tied official's role at Interior Department

A key Democrat is raising concerns about the role of an official at the Interior Department with ties to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, wrote a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum calling the matter “extremely troubling.”

Heinrich’s letter concerns the role of Tyler Hassen, the department’s assistant secretary for policy, management and budget. Burgum signed a secretarial order in April giving Hassen sweeping authority at Interior.

In particular, he was given the authority to take “all necessary actions” to carry out “consolidation, unification and optimization” at the department and its bureaus. 

“The Order appears to give Mr. Hassen free [rein] over key Departmental restructuring and decision-making for an indefinite period of time without a set expiration date,” the Democrat wrote in a letter that was first shared with The Hill. 

“Your latest action to further empower Mr. Hassen underscores your willingness to freely hand over the keys to the Department to a DOGE representative,” Heinrich added. “Delegating sweeping authorities and responsibilities to a non-Senate-confirmed person in violation of the Vacancies Reform Act is baffling and extremely troubling.

He asked for details on Hassen’s role, as well as staffing changes that are underway at the department. 

Interior Department spokesperson J. Elizabeth Peace said that the order directs the assistant secretary “to ensure that President Donald J. Trump’s executive order to restore accountability to the American public is carried out.”

“Through this optimization effort, the Department will continue to prioritize retaining first responders, parks services and energy production employees,” Peace added. 

Heinrich’s letter comes after he raised concerns in a previous letter in March over Hassen’s appointment to the role on an acting basis, saying it’s a violation of the Vacancies Reform Act.