Story perspectives

Interior Secretary Burgum Accused of Secretive Mismanagement, 14% Staff Loss

8/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is accused by department workers of fostering secrecy and dysfunction.
Staff say morale fell and agency lost 14 % of its workforce since Burgum took office.
Employees allege appointees used Signal, shredded documents and avoided written records.
Officials blame chief of staff JoDee Hanson, 53, for driving staff out.
Burgum shouted with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro about damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

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Story summary

U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is accused by department workers of fostering secrecy and dysfunction.
Staff say morale fell and agency lost 14 % of its workforce since Burgum took office.
Employees allege appointees used Signal, shredded documents and avoided written records.
Officials blame chief of staff JoDee Hanson, 53, for driving staff out.
Burgum shouted with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro about damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.