Trump wants author of Project 2025 playbook to be one of his government watchdogs

Trump wants author of Project 2025 playbook to be one of his government watchdogs Dennis Kirk previously served in a watchdog capacity for the intelligence community - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments President Donald Trump has reportedly nominated an author of Project 2025 to serve as a watchdog for the Interior Department. Dennis Kirk, a former official in the White House Office of Personnel Management and one of the authors of the far-right Project 2025 document to serve as the Interior Department's inspector general, according to The Hill. Kirk previously served as a watchdog within the intelligence community last year, according to The Washington Post. House Natural Resources ranking member Congressman Jared Huffman criticized the appointment, calling him "fraudulent." "Dennis Kirk is a fake and fraudulent watchdog," Huffman said in a statement. "Everyone should have their eyes wide open. Each and every thing this political puppet does will be in the service of Donald [Trump]." He continued, criticizing Kirk's role in the Project 2025 document. "This man helped write the Project 2025 playbook for seizing control of the federal workforce," he said. "Now he sits inside the office charged with rooting out corruption at Interior, the department that manages our national parks, public lands, Tribal programs, and now, under Trump, gold-slathered statues and a botched Reflecting Pool renovation.” The Interior Department has been at odds with the Trump administration over the president's various Washington, D.C. projects like his ballroom at the White House and his decision to drain and close the Reflecting Pool near the Lincoln Memorial. The latter has become an especially raw point of contention within the federal government, as reports have shown that the contractors used to work on the pool were hired through an unusual no-bid process. The current head of the Interior Department Inspector General's office is Caryl Brzymialkiewicz, who replaced Mark Greenblatt in January 2025 after he was fired when Trump returned to office. He posted a statement to his website this week warning that Kirk's placement should "concern anyone who values independent government oversight." “Placing someone with that background inside an inspector general’s office raises serious questions about the independence of one of the federal government’s most important accountability institutions,” Greenblatt said. The Independent has requested comment from the White House. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments