The Interior Secretary has ethics inquiries and looming investigations swirling around him, and he says these are ‘false allegations.’
Ryan Zinke, the Secretary of the Interior, announced his resignation on Saturday. This wasn’t a complete surprise as ethics inquiries swirl around Zinke, looming investigations could drain him financially and reports had already surfaced in October about his pending departure at the end of the year.
He is subject to nvestigations into potential conflicts of interest, his travel habits and political actions. But in his resignation letter Zinke describes those enquiries as “vicious and politically motivated attacks.”
In a social media blast, Zinke said he’s proud of his service, and he acknowledges a rocky road ahead of trying to defend himself on what he calls “false allegations.”
“I love working for the President and am incredibly proud of all the good work we’ve accomplished together,” he wrote. “However, after 30 years of public service, I cannot justify spending thousands of dollars defending myself and my family against false allegations.”
President Trump sent out a tweet Saturday about ZInke’s resignation, saying the former Montana congressman “accomplished much during his tenure” and that the White House will name its replacement next week.
