The Biden era tried to re-establish the status quo. The Trump team is turning everything upside down.
Because the Trump admin just held a cabinet meeting with historic consequences for America.
Trump Administration Champions Alaskan Natives in Energy Push
The Trump administration sent three high-ranking cabinet members—Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin—to Utqiaġvik, Alaska, the northernmost community in the United States. Nestled on the North Slope, this remote town of fewer than 5,000 residents, accessible only by air or sea during summer months, became the focal point of a renewed effort to unleash Alaska’s vast oil and gas potential while prioritizing the voices of its Alaska Native majority.
Utqiaġvik, a small but vibrant community where over half the population is Alaska Native, welcomed the cabinet members with open arms. Their 2,000-mile journey from Washington, D.C., demonstrated well the Trump administration’s dedication to engaging directly with those most affected by federal energy policies. Unlike the previous administration, which often left locals feeling sidelined, this visit marked a turning point for the region’s indigenous population, particularly the Iñupiat people, who have long advocated for responsible resource development to sustain their way of life.
The Biden administration claimed to prioritize Native American sovereignty, but when it came to oil and gas production, Alaskan Natives found their concerns dismissed. The Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat (VOICE), representing 21 members across eight communities spanning 95,000 square miles of northern Alaska, repeatedly sought dialogue with former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Their requests were met with silence or inconvenience, forcing VOICE representatives to travel to her on the rare occasion she granted a meeting.
“Quite the contrast from the last administration to this one. Lots of words on paper with the previous administration on how they wanted to consult with indigenous groups and people who were going to be affected the most by their decisions and national strategies. Yet very little action. We were finding things out via the news,” said Nagruk Harcharek, president of VOICE, highlighting the frustration felt by Alaskan Natives under Biden’s leadership.
One of the most glaring examples of this disconnect was the Biden administration’s decision to block 13 million acres of public land in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) from oil and gas drilling. This move, made without consulting the indigenous communities who rely on resource development for economic stability, was met with unanimous opposition from VOICE members. The lack of outreach from Haaland’s team left locals feeling betrayed by a government that claimed to champion their interests.
During a town hall meeting on Sunday evening, Secretary Burgum announced a proposal to rescind the Biden-era restrictions on NPR-A oil and gas development. This move signals a commitment to restoring economic opportunities for the North Slope while ensuring that local voices shape the process. “We’re looking forward to consulting on that and making sure our priorities are included in subsequent rules,” Harcharek said, expressing optimism about the collaborative path forward.
Beyond the town hall, Burgum, Zeldin, and Wright spent an hour and a half touring Utqiaġvik, visiting schools, civic buildings, and even a traditional food storage cellar. Asisaun Toovak, the mayor of Utqiaġvik, shared insights into the community’s whaling traditions, offering the cabinet members a glimpse into the cultural heartbeat of the North Slope. These interactions demonstrated a genuine interest in understanding the community’s needs and heritage.
The tour also highlighted the transformative impact of oil and gas revenues on Utqiaġvik’s infrastructure. Over the past 40 years, tax revenues from energy development have funded critical improvements, including a hospital, water and sewer systems, schools, law enforcement, and fire protection. These advancements have dramatically enhanced the quality of life for residents, many of whom wish to remain in their ancestral homeland.
In 1980, the average life expectancy in the North Slope Borough was a mere 65 years, comparable to nations like Sudan and Iraq today. Thanks to the economic benefits of energy development, that figure has risen to 77 years. “It’s really enhanced our way of life up here, and allows people to live in the communities where they’re from, where their homes are. And we want to keep it that way,” Harcharek said, emphasizing the importance of sustaining these gains.
Under the Biden administration, Alaskan Natives faced an uphill battle to have their voices heard. Iñupiat leaders made multiple trips to Washington, D.C., seeking meetings with federal officials, only to be met with resistance or outright indifference from Haaland. On one occasion, VOICE was given just one week’s notice to organize a dozen representatives for a last-minute meeting in D.C., a logistical nightmare given the remoteness of the North Slope.
“Under Biden, Secretary Haaland’s interaction was really no more than a drive-by lip service. As NSB [North Slope Borough] Mayor [Josiah Aullaqsruaq] Patkotak pointed out at the Governor’s Energy Conference in Anchorage earlier today, the Biden administration only talked at the Inupiat people instead of listening and understanding their concerns and positions,” said Brett Huber, Alaska representative for Power the Future. Huber praised the Trump administration’s approach as a refreshing change, noting that Burgum, Wright, and Zeldin actively listened to the community’s needs.
The Trump administration’s engagement didn’t stop at reversing restrictive policies. Discussions with Alaska’s elected officials also touched on a proposed 807-mile natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to a liquefaction facility on the Cook Inlet coast. This ambitious project promises to deliver a reliable gas supply for Alaskans while opening lucrative export opportunities to Asian markets, further boosting the region’s economy.
While Biden officials prioritized the agendas of environmental lobbyists, the Trump team has shown a commitment to putting Alaskan Natives first. “The energy cabinet listened, shared, and followed through for the people of Alaska’s North, where the Biden officials set aside their interests and served instead the interests of their friends in the environmental lobby,” Huber said.
For Harcharek and the Alaskan Natives of the North Slope, the Trump administration’s visit marks the beginning of a new era of collaboration. “It was a really awesome opportunity to hear directly from them, and we’re hoping that it is the start of a more collaborative relationship with the federal government,” Harcharek said. The promise of renewed energy development and genuine partnership offers hope for a prosperous future.
