Amodei Criticizes Trump Appointee Zinke Over Nevada BLM Leadership Changes
U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., recently expressed his frustration with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke following a leadership shakeup at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Nevada. This incident was captured in an audio recording obtained by the Reno Gazette Journal.
The remarks, made during the Churchill County GOP’s Lincoln Day Dinner, surfaced shortly after Amodei faced backlash over his office's involvement in the suspension of a McQueen High School student who used profanity during a student walkout for gun control action.
The comments came just over a month after Nevada BLM chief John Ruhs departed to lead the bureau’s firefighting efforts in Boise, Idaho. Amodei lamented this move in a text message to Zinke, which he read aloud at the dinner.
Amodei suggested that tensions between Ruhs and a top Zinke deputy might have influenced Ruhs' departure.
“While I think the world of Mr. Ruhs, I’m not going to try and get between him and your deputy guy, whatever is going on with those two,” Amodei said he told Zinke. “With all due respect, I’ve been to enough rodeos to sense an issue there and let’s just move on.
“Nevada has suffered through a decade of poor BLM leadership,” he continued. “To place a strong leader there for 18 months and then move him to Boise is tone deaf.”
Amodei criticized the legal provisions cited by a Zinke subordinate for not informing him of Ruhs’ departure, feeling it was a dismissive gesture.
Zinke responded briefly, acknowledging Amodei's frustration and suggesting direct communication in the future.
Amodei later confirmed discussions with Zinke, receiving assurances that Ruhs wasn't forced out, though he believed Ruhs preferred to remain in Nevada.
“John Ruhs is a top-flight, world-class land manager,” Amodei added. “I’m upset because we’re losing a strong manager.”
Amodei is still seeking details on a proposed BLM reorganization that might leave Nevada without a top agency manager.
When asked about his relationship with Zinke, Amodei suggested the need for better communication.
“I want a state director. (Zinke) said you’re going to have a state director. So I may well walk out of (upcoming briefings) and say ‘I can live with that.’”
Amodei has consistently criticized the BLM during his tenure, particularly its sage grouse preservation efforts and land management in Nevada.
Amodei has also been candid about his use of public profanity, a point highlighted amid the controversy over a McQueen high school student's suspension.
Student Noah Christiansen was suspended after using profanity in a call to Amodei’s office during protests. The suspension was later lifted following legal threats from the ACLU of Nevada.
Christiansen requested an apology from Amodei, who defended his staffer's right to complain but did not support the student's punishment.
The incident drew national attention, spotlighting Amodei’s own use of profanity.
This month, the Nevada Appeal reported Amodei praised a new Carson City library as “kicking ass.” In 2016, he humorously asked constituents if they needed anything from the White House, noting the lack of communication.