Boots on the Ground

After 30+ Years of Public Service, Congressman Ryan Zinke Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection in November

After more than 30 years in public service and four terms in Congress, Congressman Ryan Zinke announced he will not seek reelection in November. His career includes serving 23 years as a U.S. Navy SEAL officer (1985-2008), four years in the Montana State Senate (2009-2013), two years as Secretary of the Interior under President Donald J. Trump (2017-2019), and four noncontiguous terms in Congress (2015-2017; 2023-2026).

Zinke penned a letter to the people of Montana which can be read here.

The following statement can be attributed to Congressman Zinke:

“It has been my highest honor to serve America and the Great State of Montana as a U.S. Navy SEAL Commander, State Senator, Congressman, and the 52nd Secretary of the Interior. It has been my privilege to fight on the front lines defending freedom, faith, family, and the values that make America and Montana strong. Battles are not fought alone, and with your support we have unleashed America’s energy potential, removed excessive regulation, lowered taxes, passed the Great American Outdoors Act to repair and preserve our National Parks and Forests, and saved our treasured public lands from being sold to the highest bidder.

“We have also secured critical funding for Montana bridges, roads, sewer systems, water infrastructure, public access points, conservation projects, and helped thousands of Montanans successfully navigate through the federal bureaucracy to solve real problems that matter to the people that I am honored to represent. Service is a duty that I will always hold sacred, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.

“As for my service and duty going forward, I have made the decision to leave office at the end of my fourth term and not seek re-election. I do not take this decision lightly and have informed President Trump, the Governor, and senior leadership of this difficult but necessary decision.

“While my belief in term limits for elected office is a consideration, I have quietly undergone multiple surgeries since I returned to Congress and unfortunately face several more immediately after leaving office. The injuries sustained from a career in Special Operations are not immediately life threatening, but the repair cannot be deferred any longer and recovery will require considerable time with my wife Lola and my family. My judgment and experience tell me it is better for Montana and America to have full-time representation in Congress than run the risk of uncertain absence and missed votes.

“It has been a great privilege to serve Montana and our great Nation as the first U.S. Navy SEAL to serve in the State Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first Montanan to serve as a Cabinet Secretary. May God Bless Montana and all those who defend her.”

Read the full press release here.

Secretary Burgum and Rep. Zinke Dig Into Montana’s Critical Minerals

Last week, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum joined Congressman Zinke at Montana Tech in Butte to tour the university’s advanced mineral laboratories and meet with local leaders to discuss the importance of critical mineral mining.

Rep. Zinke and Secretary Burgum began the day on KBZK, where they spoke about the economic and national security significance of developing America’s critical mineral resources. They also addressed the need to keep bison off public grazing lands. Senator Steve Daines joined the segment as well, recapping the State of the Union and underscoring the importance of expanding critical mineral mining.

After KBZK, Rep. Zinke and Secretary Burgum went live on KSKY Radio, where they highlighted Montana Tech's impressive advancements and contributions to the critical mineral industry.

Rep. Zinke and Secretary Burgum stayed in Bozeman, where they attended a breakfast with Montana conservation leaders. They talked about the issues and opportunities facing the state, including wildlife management and the future of public land stewardship in the state.

Rep. Zinke and Secretary Burgum then drove to Butte. They toured Montana Tech's Lance College of Mines and Engineering mineral labs and received a briefing on the latest engineering technology the school has developed.

"In Montana, we know better than anyone that there’s appropriate places to mine and not, the men and women mining the Stillwater, Silver Bow and other Montana mines do it right," said Rep. Zinke. "They use the highest technology, have a strong reclamation and safety plan, and they hire brilliant Montana Tech grads. We need to be doing more mining in Montana, not less."

Following the tour, Rep. Zinke and Secretary Burgum hosted a roundtable discussion with local stakeholders on the Trump Administration’s commitment to bringing mining jobs back to Montana.

“President Trump and Secretary Burgum have been in lock step with the entire Montana delegation fighting for Montana mining jobs against corrupt foreign influence and manipulation,” said Rep Zinke. “On behalf of the Governor, Senators and Montana miners I thank the administration for implementing a 132% tariff on Russian mineral imports which will bring good paying jobs back to Montana."

"After years of burdensome restrictions under the Biden administration, that locked up our energy and mineral supply and drove up costs, President Donald J. Trump has launched a decisive resurgence in American energy and mining that is making life more affordable for Montana families - beginning with unleashing our vast domestic resources," said Secretary Burgum. "At Interior, we will continue working hand-in-hand with our partners in Western states to restore America’s mining legacy by cutting red tape, streamlining permitting and ensuring critical minerals are produced here at home."

View photos of the tour and roundtable here.

Read the press release here.

Zinke, Tokuda Launch Congressional Air Medical Caucus

This week, Representatives Ryan Zinke and Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) formally launched the bipartisan Congressional Air Medical Caucus during an official kick-off event at the Cannon House Office Building, bringing together Members of Congress, industry leaders, and medical professionals to elevate awareness of the essential role air medical services play in America’s emergency care system.

The caucus will educate lawmakers on the operational, clinical, and policy framework that sustains air medical services nationwide. Air ambulances serve as fully equipped mobile intensive care units, transporting critically ill and injured patients from accident scenes and rural hospitals to trauma centers, stroke centers, burn units, and other specialty facilities. In many rural and geographically isolated areas, air medical transport is the only viable option for timely access to advanced care.

“Air medical transport is often the difference between life and death in rural America,” said Rep. Zinke. “In a state like Montana, where distance and weather are constant challenges, we depend on these crews to deliver critical care when every second counts. Working with Rep. Tokuda, this caucus will ensure Congress understands their mission and works to protect it."

“Air medical services are a lifeline for Hawaiʻi families and rural communities where emergencies are measured in minutes. They can mean the difference between life and death,” said Rep. Tokuda. “That’s why I am proud to join Rep. Zinke in co-leading this bipartisan effort to support the infrastructure and specialized teams providing air medical services to those most in need. Our goal is to ensure every person has access to life-saving care, regardless of where they live.”

Read the full press release here.

Commander Zinke in the News

Ravalli Republic

"Both Burgum and Zinke emphasized the need to accelerate mining and processing of critical and rare earth metals in the U.S."

Newsmax

"This is a great opportunity for the Iranian people that are very, very smart to rise and control their own destiny. Can you imagine a world without Khamenei or the Middle East, without a radical Islamic regime?"

Montana Free Press

"Tariffs have also produced wins for Montana, said Rep. Zinke. Tariffs on palladium imports have helped the Sibanye-Stillwater mine near Columbus."

NonStop Local

"Congressman Zinke shared his views on balancing environmental oversight with increased mineral production."

KTVH

"Zinke argued mining can be done in an environmentally responsible way, and that allowing other countries with weaker environmental regulations to take the lead on critical mineral development wouldn’t be an improvement.”

NBC Montana

“It is about restoring our manufacturing, our processing, from mine to surveys. We’ve done a lot of surveys but it’s time to transition and complete the surveys with the new technology."

Press Releases