By Michael Hernandez</p> <p>WASHINGTON (AA) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday nominated acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, a former fossil fuel lobbyist, to lead the department in charge of administering and conserving federal lands. </p> <p>If confirmed by the Senate, Bernhardt will replace former Secretary Ryan Zinke who resigned from the Interior Department in December amid controversy. </p> <p>Bernhardt has been acting as head of the department after serving as its deputy under Zinke. </p> <p>"David has done a fantastic job from the day he arrived, and we look forward to having his nomination officially confirmed!" Trump said on Twitter. </p> <p>Before returning to the Interior Department in 2017, Bernhardt worked at lobbying firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, where he represented Halliburton and Samson Resources.

