Hunters and veterans groups have joined forces with environmental organizations to oppose President Trump's nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management. Steve Pearce faces a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday amid growing opposition from constituencies that traditionally support Republican nominees. The former New Mexico congressman's nomination has sparked an unprecedented coalition of critics.
The unusual alliance represents a significant challenge for the Trump administration's public lands agenda. Hunting and veterans organizations rarely align with environmental groups on policy issues, making their unified opposition particularly noteworthy. Major hunting groups including Backcountry Hunters and Anglers have publicly criticized the nomination. Veterans organizations worry about reduced access to therapeutic outdoor recreation areas.
The Bureau of Land Management oversees 245 million acres of public land across the western United States, making it one of the most influential positions for outdoor recreation and conservation policy. The agency manages grazing rights, mining permits, oil and gas leases, and recreational access on vast swaths of federal territory. BLM lands host millions of hunters, campers, hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts annually.
Pearce served three terms in Congress representing New Mexico's second district before losing his gubernatorial bid in 2018. During his congressional tenure, he consistently voted to expand energy development on public lands and supported reducing federal land ownership. He received a 3% lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters and backing from oil and gas industry groups.
The nominee's record includes support for transferring federal lands to state control, a position that alarms hunters who fear states would sell prime hunting grounds to private interests. Veterans groups cite studies showing that outdoor recreation on public lands helps combat PTSD and depression among former service members. They argue that any reduction in access could harm veteran mental health programs.
Environmental organizations have mobilized against Pearce's nomination, citing his votes against wilderness designations and endangered species protections. The Sierra Club and Wilderness Society have launched campaigns highlighting his industry ties. They point to campaign contributions from mining and energy companies during his congressional career.
The Trump administration has defended Pearce as a pragmatic leader who will balance conservation with economic development. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has promoted increased energy production on federal lands as part of the administration's "energy dominance" strategy. The administration argues that responsible development can coexist with recreational access and conservation.
Wednesday's Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing will provide the first public forum for opposition groups to question Pearce directly. Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski has indicated she will examine his positions on public access and multiple-use management. The hearing could determine whether the nomination advances to a full Senate vote.
The bipartisan nature of the opposition suggests Pearce may face a difficult confirmation process. Several Republican senators from western states have received pressure from hunting and veterans groups in their home states. The outcome will signal whether the Trump administration's aggressive public lands agenda faces sustained resistance from its traditional base of support.