David L. Bernhardt

David Longly Bernhardt, born August 17 1969, is an American attorney who held the position of United States Secretary of the Interior from 2019 to 2021 in the administration of President Donald J. Trump. Prior to his cabinet appointment, he served as deputy secretary of the Interior and had a long career within the Department, including stints as solicitor and director of congressional affairs. His professional background also includes work as a shareholder at the Colorado law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, where he specialized in natural‑resources litigation and lobbying.

Early life and career

Bernhardt grew up in Rifle, Colorado, where his father worked as a county extension agent and his mother was involved in real estate. From an early age he engaged with civic matters; at sixteen he presented a case to the Rifle City Council urging that arcade games at a teen center not be taxed. He left high school early, earning a GED before completing a bachelor’s degree at the University of Northern Colorado in 1990. While attending university, he secured an internship with the Supreme Court of the United States. After graduating from George Washington University Law School in 1994 with honors, he was admitted to the Colorado Bar Association later that year.

Bernhardt began his legal career in Colorado, working for U.S. Representative Scott McInnis, a Republican congressman from Grand Junction. In 1998 he joined Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck as an associate. His early professional focus centered on natural‑resources law and lobbying.

During the presidency of George W. Bush, Bernhardt held several positions within the Department of the Interior (DOI). He served as deputy chief of staff and counselor to Secretary Gale Norton, and later directed congressional and legislative affairs for the department. In November 2005 he was nominated by President Bush to become solicitor of the DOI; after unanimous Senate confirmation, he assumed office in November 2006 and served until January 2009. While solicitor, he also acted as United States commissioner to the International Boundary Commission between the U.S. and Canada.

After leaving government service in 2009, Bernhardt returned to Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, where he became a shareholder and chairman of the firm’s natural‑resources practice. His clientele included entities such as Westlands Water District, Halliburton, Cobalt International Energy, Samson Resources, and the Independent Petroleum Association of America. Through the firm he represented projects like the proposed Rosemont Copper open‑pit mine in Arizona. In 2011 he filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Westlands Water District that sought federal action to address contaminated irrigation water.

Bernhardt also served on the Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries, chairing its Finance, Audit, & Compliance Committee until his resignation prior to January 2017.

Cabinet tenure

In November 2016, following President Trump’s inauguration, Bernhardt withdrew his registration as a lobbyist in compliance with the new administration’s ban on lobbyists. He continued to consult for Westlands Water District at a monthly retainer while remaining an attorney at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. During this period he also led the Interior Department transition team alongside Devin Nunes, overseeing staffing decisions for the department.

On April 28 2017 President Trump nominated Bernhardt as deputy secretary of the Interior. The nomination was supported by Secretary Ryan Zinke, several Republican members of Congress, former interior secretaries, and industry groups such as Ducks Unlimited and the Boone & Crockett Club. Opposition came from conservationists, fishing organizations, and California Democrats who cited his prior lobbying for oil companies and agricultural interests, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

Bernhardt was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 24 2017 and sworn into office on August 1 2017. In this role he served as chief deputy to Secretary Zinke and operated as chief operating officer of the federal lands and energy agency. During his confirmation hearing, he emphasized a commitment to applying law while acknowledging that presidential guidance would shape departmental policy.

When Secretary Ryan Zinke resigned on January 2 2019, Bernhardt stepped into the role of acting secretary of the Interior. In February 2019 President Trump formally nominated him as the full secretary; the Senate confirmed his appointment on April 11 2019. He served as the 53rd United States Secretary of the Interior until the end of the Trump administration in January 2021.

Throughout his tenure, Bernhardt’s responsibilities encompassed oversight of federal lands, natural resources management, and energy policy. His leadership period was marked by a focus on aligning departmental actions with presidential directives and maintaining legal compliance within the agency’s operations.

Legacy

Bernhardt’s service as deputy secretary and later as Secretary of the Interior placed him at the center of federal natural‑resources governance during a period of heightened debate over land use, energy development, and environmental regulation. His background in both government and private practice informed his approach to policy implementation, emphasizing legal frameworks while navigating the expectations of the executive branch.

The controversy surrounding his transition from lobbying to cabinet leadership highlighted ongoing discussions about revolving-door practices within federal agencies. Supporters noted his experience with congressional affairs and agency operations; critics pointed to potential conflicts arising from his prior representation of industry interests.

After leaving office in 2021, Bernhardt’s career reflects a blend of public service within the Department of the Interior and private-sector legal work focused on natural resources. His tenure contributed to shaping the department’s direction during the final years of the Trump administration and set precedents for subsequent appointments in the field of federal land and resource management.