Citing personal reasons for stepping down, but evidence suggesting otherwise, a Trump appointee decided to quit her position for allegedly slamming the President for the January 6 riots.
See the tweet below.
Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance and Bureau of Land Management nominee, abruptly withdrew moments before the event.
The White House has already confirmed plans to nominate a replacement who will fully support Trump’s America First energy agenda.
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, made the unexpected announcement at the beginning of what was supposed to be Sgamma’s confirmation hearing.
The news surprised many committee members who were prepared to question the oil and gas industry advocate about her qualifications to lead the agency responsible for managing 245 million acres of federal land.
While Sgamma officially cited personal reasons for her withdrawal, multiple sources point to a 2021 memo she authored criticizing President Trump’s actions following the January 6 Capitol protests.
In that memo, Sgamma wrote she was “disgusted by the violence witnessed yesterday and President Trump’s role in spreading misinformation that incited it.”
Such statements clearly contradict the loyalty that President Trump expects from his administration.
The Bureau of Land Management is crucial to America’s energy independence, controlling access to vast mineral resources on federal lands.
Under the past administration, the BLM had shifted toward restricting domestic energy production while pushing unreliable “green” energy projects.
President Trump has already begun reversing these harmful policies by ending environmental obstacles for oil and gas leases and lifting Biden’s ban on new federal coal sales.
While environmental activists celebrated Sgamma’s withdrawal, her departure represents a missed opportunity to put American energy first.
As president of the Western Energy Alliance, Sgamma has been a staunch defender of domestic energy production and job creation in Western states.
BREAKING: White House withdraws BLM nominee Kathleen Sgamma's nominationhttps://t.co/RNaGpug7nP
— Axios (@axios) April 10, 2025
However, her previous comments critical of President Trump likely made her position untenable in an administration focused on loyalty to the MAGA agenda.
The situation highlights the importance of having BLM leadership that fully supports President Trump’s vision for American energy dominance.
During his first term, Trump moved the agency’s headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Grand Junction, Colorado, bringing decision-making closer to the managed lands away from the D.C. swamp.
Senator Lee emphasized the urgency of finding a new nominee who can implement Trump’s policies at the BLM.
“The president’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management has withdrawn her nomination,” Lee announced.
“The committee understands the need to find a new nominee expeditiously, and we look forward to working with the administration on that process,” he added.
The withdrawal comes as President Trump continues to reshape federal agencies that had been weaponized against American energy production under the previous administration.
His executive orders rolling back Biden-era restrictions on domestic energy production will require strong leadership at the BLM to fully implement.
This situation shows that unwavering support for President Trump’s America First agenda is essential for those hoping to serve in his administration.
With energy prices still elevated following Biden’s war on American energy, the BLM leadership position remains critical for American families struggling with inflation and energy costs.
