The vote was 79-18. More than half of Senate Democrats joined all 53 Republicans in voting for Burgum.
Burgum, 68, is a software industry entrepreneur who came from a small North Dakota farming community, where he worked at his family’s grain elevator.
He served two terms as governor of the oil-rich state and launched a presidential campaign in 2023, but dropped out months later and quickly endorsed Trump.
Trump also picked Burgum to chair a new National Energy Council that's tasked with achieving American “energy dominance.” He would have a seat on the National Security Council — a first for the interior secretary.
His directive from Trump is to make it even easier for energy companies to tap fossil fuel resources, including from public lands.
