Tension Builds Between Trump and Energy Secretary Wright
Political tension in Washington is spilling into the U.S. energy sector as reports circulate that Energy Secretary Chris Wright, a former Colorado oil executive, may be losing favor with President Donald Trump.
Sources describe their relationship as “strained,” with the President reportedly disappointed that Wright has not moved faster to dismantle Biden-era green energy programs and replace them with aggressive fossil fuel expansion.
According to POLITICO, the friction has raised questions about Wright’s future in Trump’s Cabinet, despite his strong record supporting oil and gas development.
Conflict Over Clean Energy Grants
The disagreements reportedly center on Wright’s handling of tens of billions of dollars in clean energy grants created under the Biden administration.
“Strained” is one word used in describing their relationship as the President is reported to be disappointed that Wright might be too slow in eliminating more green energy projects funded by the Biden administration and instead making more of an effort to promote fossil fuels and coal projects.
White House staff members allegedly felt Wright was too slow to inform them of his plan to cancel the grants and too willing to defend industries that wanted portions of the funding preserved.
Those delays, sources told POLITICO, sparked internal conflict between the Department of Energy and Trump’s senior advisers.
Delays in Natural Gas Export Approvals Add Pressure
Adding to the political firestorm, POLITICO reported that the President has grown frustrated by delays in approving natural gas export projects—key initiatives that Trump promoted during his re-election campaign.
The tension escalated further when three senior Energy Department staff members were recently dismissed, intensifying speculation about the Secretary’s standing within the administration.
“None of the people said Wright, a former Colorado fracking executive and outspoken advocate for Trump’s pro-fossil-fuel policies, is in immediate danger of losing his job. But they said relations have clearly soured between Trump’s inner circle and Wright, who arrived in D.C. with a senior team similarly drawn from the private sector instead of MAGA politics,” reported POLITICO.
Oklahoma’s Energy Stake
For Oklahoma’s oil and gas producers, the growing tension could influence future federal support for fossil fuel development and infrastructure projects across the state.
Any shake-up in the Energy Department could reshape policies tied to drilling, natural gas exports, and refinery expansion—key issues for Oklahoma’s economy.
SOURCE: Politico– Rewritten for clarity by Oklahoma Energy Today