Staff Reports
President Trump’s disdain for wind power is as unmistakable as a tornado in a trailer park. Especially offshore wind, which he has repeatedly called “garbage” and “horrendous,” is under fire from the former president for creating more problems than it solves. He sees it all—from environmental devastation and the soaring costs to the potential dangers for military operations and commercial navigation. He rightly points out that relying on wind energy could make America more dependent on foreign nations, particularly China, for its energy security.
During his campaign, Trump made it loud and clear that he wanted the construction of new windmills to end, pledging to put a stop to this wind-fueled folly. In the whirlwind of executive orders, he issued a directive to halt new offshore wind projects. One would think that those in his administration would take this directive seriously, but some appear more willing to ignore this clearest of calls to action than follow it.
MAYBE @DougBurgum IS DISLOYAL TO TRUMP-MAYBE HE ISN'T.
It's Time for Burgum to Stop Defying President Trump's Demand via @WestJournalism https://t.co/1MWhgF4aZP— AMERICA STRONG (@ArmageddonGC) April 14, 2025
As if in a slap-in-the-face gesture to Trump, the Biden administration’s green machine has been busy issuing construction permits for not one, but four offshore wind projects along the East Coast. The construction is set to resume come May 1, 2025, despite Trump’s executive order. The irony is rich; here is Trump, training his sights on the absurdities of offshore wind, while some in his administration seem content to play nice with Joe Biden’s climate agenda.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has been evading Trump’s wishes when it comes to this issue. While he has acted on some of Trump’s other orders, such as renewing oil and gas leases and looking into Arctic drilling, he has somehow neglected the explicit instruction to stop offshore wind projects. This raises the question: Is Burgum really a loyal Trump soldier or just one of those pesky defectors that popped up during the primary? His past support for wind power during his governorship in North Dakota could hint at his reluctance.
The Department of the Interior, under Burgum, has the legal authority to pause ongoing construction if new information emerges that questions earlier approvals. With wind projects posing a significant environmental threat, especially to endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale, the case for halting construction isn’t just strong; it’s a no-brainer. But ignoring Trump’s directive does not only risk frustrating a former president; it could also invite a swift “You’re Fired!” moment down the road.
The former president has always been about action, and the stakes are high. The political landscape has changed; it’s no longer a question of just what’s best for the climate, but more about what’s best for America, her economy, and her energy independence. If Burgum doesn’t soon align with Trump’s priorities and utilize his authority to respond to the imminent threats posed by these wind projects, he might just find himself saying goodbye in the most dramatic of Trumpian fashion.
