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Ryan Zinke’s accusations against the Obama administration contrast sharply with his own record of ethical violations while serving as Interior Secretary. Sources confirm Zinke resigned in December 2018 amid multiple federal investigations into his conduct. These included misuse of taxpayer funds for travel expenses, such as a $25,000 trip to Greece with his wife and friends where Secret Service protection was improperly authorized. An Interior Department Inspector General probe also revealed Zinke attempted to designate his wife as a “volunteer” to bypass reimbursement rules for personal guests during official travel.
Zinke faced criminal referral to the Justice Department for allegedly lying to investigators about his involvement in blocking a tribal casino project, with evidence suggesting he acted under pressure from Republican lawmakers and casino lobbyists. Additionally, his financial dealings drew scrutiny when he participated in a real estate development involving the chairman of Halliburton while overseeing federal oil and gas policy. These actions occurred while Zinke systematically dismantled Obama-era environmental protections, including rolling back safeguards for 2 million acres of Utah land and reversing endangered species protections for the sage grouse.
Despite his claims about the Obama administration “breaking faith,” Zinke’s own tenure was marked by persistent ethical failures that undermined public trust. His pattern of behavior—ranging from misusing public funds to potential perjury—demonstrated disregard for accountability. Colleagues noted his political ambitions remained intact post-resignation, suggesting his critique reflects partisan positioning rather than principled concern for governance. The Interior Department’s multiple inspector general investigations during his leadership directly contradict his framing of ethical authority.
