Federal employees at the U.S. Department of the Interior have raised concerns about leadership under Secretary Doug Burgum, citing a culture of secrecy, staff departures, and unusual document handling practices since he took office in 2024.
Two former staffers reported that employees were asked to sign nondisclosure agreements, while multiple high-ranking officials have resigned, including the Senate-confirmed legal counsel, the secretary’s former chief of staff, and the agency’s top energy official. Tony Irish, a 20-year Interior veteran who served as associate solicitor for general law, stated that Burgum does not solicit or value input from career staffers, describing his leadership as marked by "arrogance" and a "lack of curiosity."
Three current staffers also alleged that officials have routinely shredded official documents and used disappearing Signal messages—even for routine scheduling—to avoid preserving communications, which is required by federal record-keeping rules. One official reportedly discussed adding a sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) on the department’s sixth floor, despite one existing three floors below.
Burgum’s leadership approach has drawn criticism from both former employees and political observers. Critics argue that his management style has led to institutional instability, while supporters contend that restructuring is necessary to modernize the agency. The department has not publicly addressed the allegations of document shredding or the use of disappearing messages.
Background: Interior’s workforce challenges
The Interior Department oversees 250,000 employees and manages 500 million acres of public land, including national parks. Staffing shortages have raised concerns about the agency’s ability to maintain operations, particularly in land management and conservation efforts. Former employees describe a decline in morale since Burgum’s tenure began, with some attributing the exodus to perceived micromanagement and lack of transparency.
Political fallout and oversight concerns
The allegations come amid broader scrutiny of federal agency leadership. Some lawmakers have questioned whether Burgum’s management style aligns with the department’s mission, while others argue that turnover is an expected part of leadership transitions. The department has not provided a formal response to the claims of secrecy or staff departures.
Document handling and compliance
Federal records laws require agencies to preserve communications related to official business. The use of Signal’s disappearing messages for scheduling, as described by staffers, raises questions about compliance with these requirements. The Interior Department has not clarified whether such practices are authorized or if corrective measures have been implemented.
Staff retention and institutional knowledge
The loss of senior officials, including those with decades of experience, has raised concerns about the erosion of institutional knowledge within the agency. Former employees describe a lack of engagement with career staff, which they argue undermines the department’s ability to fulfill its mission. The full extent of the staff departures and their impact on operations remains unclear.
The Interior Department did not respond to requests for comment on the allegations of secrecy, document shredding, or staff turnover.