Interior Secretary Zinke’s parting note has critics seeing red

Ryan Zinke, the embattled interior secretary who famously rode to work dressed like a cowboy on horseback, departed the job Wednesday at high noon. Zinke signed off with a letter written on official departmental stationery with what appeared to be a red marker. “It’s been a high honor to serve the president and the American People as @ Interior secretary,” it said. The ex-Navy SEAL and first Montanan to serve in a presidential Cabinet faced at least five open investigations into his management and behavior at the Interior Department. He departed amid a partial government shutdown forced by the president that left garbage piled high at the national parks he oversaw. In his letter, Zinke said he “restored public lands for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” He added he “improved public access” to federal land and it “shall never be held hostage again for our energy needs.” Responses to Zinke’s tweet with the letter attached, posted at noon, were not kind...MORE