Trump Taps Ex-Lawmaker to Lead America’s Vast Public Lands Agency

President Donald Trump has nominated former New Mexico Representative Steve Pearce to head the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the federal agency responsible for overseeing an enormous swath of America’s public lands. If confirmed by the Senate, Pearce would manage approximately 245 million acres of surface land—roughly one-tenth of the entire United States—along with 700 million acres of subsurface mineral rights.

The nomination signals Trump’s continued push to expand fossil fuel extraction on public lands, a cornerstone of Republican energy policy. The BLM controls access to substantial reserves of oil, natural gas, and coal beneath America’s public territories, making the agency director’s role crucial in determining the balance between energy development and conservation.

Pearce, who previously served as New Mexico’s representative in Congress, would inherit an agency that sits at the center of ongoing debates over America’s energy future and environmental protection. The BLM’s decisions affect not only energy production but also wildlife habitat, recreation access, and the preservation of pristine landscapes for future generations.

The nomination comes as environmental groups and conservation advocates closely watch Trump’s approach to public lands management. During his previous term, Trump’s administration prioritized energy development and reduced protections for several national monuments. Pearce’s confirmation hearing will likely focus on how he plans to balance competing demands for energy production, conservation, and public access to these nationally significant lands.