David Bernhardt

David Longly Bernhardt (born August 17, 1969) is an American attorney, lobbyist and politician. He was the 53rd United States Secretary of the Interior from 2019 to 2021. He was the Deputy United States Secretary of the Interior when Ryan Zinke was secretary.

David Bernhardt
53rd United States Secretary of the Interior
In office April 11, 2019 – January 20, 2021 Acting: January 2, 2019 – April 11, 2019
President	Donald Trump
Deputy	Katharine MacGregor
Preceded by	Ryan Zinke
Succeeded by	Deb Haaland
5th United States Deputy Secretary of the Interior
In office August 1, 2017 – April 11, 2019
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Michael L. Connor
Succeeded by	Vacant
Solicitor of the United States Department of the Interior
In office October 5, 2006 – January 20, 2009
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Sue Ellen Wooldridge
Succeeded by	Hilary Tompkins
Personal details
Born	David Longly Bernhardt (1969-08-17) August 17, 1969 (age 56) Rifle, Colorado, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Gena
Children	2
Residence	Arlington, Virginia, U.S.
Education	University of Northern Colorado (BA) George Washington University (JD)

He began working for the United States Department of the Interior in 2001 and was the department's solicitor from 2006 to 2009, among other roles.^[1][2]

On April 28, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated him to be the United States Deputy Secretary of the Interior.^[3] He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 24, 2017.^[4] He became Acting Secretary of the Interior on January 2, 2019, replacing Ryan Zinke. In February 2019, Trump nominated Bernhardt to serve the position as the permanent secretary.^[5] He was confirmed on April 11, 2019.^[6]