Trump appoints Project 2025 co-author to Interior Department inspector general office

Dennis Kirk, a former White House budget official and co-author of a Project 2025 chapter advocating extensive privatization of the federal government, has been installed in the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General. The placement comes after the Trump administration dismissed the prior IG, Mark Greenblatt, in January 2025, and has drawn sharp rebuke from Rep. Jared Huffman, who described Kirk as a fraudulent watchdog serving Donald Trump.

Greenblatt warned that such appointments undermine the independence of a key accountability institution, noting a pattern of IG dismissals, budget cuts, and role redefinitions. The Interior IG office, currently led by acting head Caryl Brzymialkiewicz, faces pressure to investigate alleged misconduct involving senior officials and contracts awarded to Trump associates. A department spokesperson declined to comment, citing personnel matters. Critics argue the move threatens oversight of a department that manages national parks, public lands, Tribal programs, and recent controversial projects.