Inside Interior | November 21, 2025

This week, the Department of the Interior announced a major victory in the fight against fentanyl. More than 37,000 fentanyl pills – valued at approximately 1.5 million dollars – and 38,000 dollars in cash were seized during a coordinated operation in New Mexico. This decisive strike against a deadly crisis was led by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement and carried out under the Trump administration’s commitment to law and order.


In Breton Sound, Louisiana, what began as a routine aerial helicopter inspection by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement became a lifesaving mission. The crew spotted a shrimping vessel engulfed in flames. Acting quickly, they radioed the Coast Guard, guided rescue teams, and kept watch overhead. Thanks to their coordinated efforts, two mariners were pulled safely from the water.

And in Yosemite National Park, U.S. Park Rangers carried out a daring rescue on El Capitan. An injured climber stranded high on a granite ledge was safely brought down after hours of precision teamwork. If you or someone you know is ready to serve as a U.S. Park Police officer or Park Ranger, we are recruiting. Visit the website below to learn more.

Secretary Burgum signed a landmark agreement with Saudi Arabia to expand rare earth investment and production. Critical minerals power everything from smartphones to defense systems.

With 80% of rare earths imported last year, President Trump’s administration is driving U.S. production, securing supply chains through allies, and mapping new deposits to keep America strong and independent. To support that effort, Interior announced the 2025 List of Critical Minerals, highlighting 60 resources vital to America’s future.

Interior is also tackling America’s broader energy needs. This week, we unveiled a new, more expansive, National Offshore Leasing Program – unlocking offshore reserves, generating revenue for coastal states, helping lower prices at the pump, and providing the energy needed to secure America’s position as the world’s leading energy producer.

Finally, Interior is reinforcing America’s commitment to conservation. Through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we unveiled four new rules to strengthen the Endangered Species Act—boosting protections for threatened species and clarifying how critical habitats are defined, all grounded in the best science.