Trump Nominates Steve Pearce to Lead Bureau of Land Management

President Trump has nominated former New Mexico Congressman Steve Pearce to serve as Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), signaling a decisive shift toward expanding domestic energy production on federal lands.

Pearce, a longtime advocate for oil, gas, and mining interests, brings both political and industry experience to the position. Before entering Congress, he owned and operated an oilfield services company. During his 12 years in the U.S. House, Pearce consistently championed policies to open federal lands to energy exploration, reduce regulatory barriers, and strengthen America’s energy independence.

Supporters across the energy sector praised the nomination. The Western Energy Alliance and American Exploration & Mining Association called Pearce’s leadership “a win for balanced land management,” citing his understanding of the multiple-use mandate that governs public lands. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) added that Pearce’s experience makes him “well qualified to steward our resources wisely.”

Environmental groups, however, are already mobilizing against the nomination, pointing to his past support for reducing national monument boundaries and opposition to methane-emission regulations.

If confirmed, Pearce will oversee roughly 700 million acres of federal mineral estate and play a central role in shaping the administration’s policies to boost oil and gas leasing, streamline permitting, and strengthen American energy security.