Judge Removes Public Lands Chief For Serving Without Senate Confirmation

Pendley has been serving unlawfully as acting head of the agency for 424 days, the judge ruled, because he was never confirmed by the Senate.

Montana Governor Steve Bullock, a Democrat, sued to remove Pendley over the issue earlier this year.

Pendley continues to lead the agency even though the Trump administration withdrew his official nomination this summer after backlash from Democrats and some Republicans.

Pendley was a controversial pick because he has repeatedly denied the existence of climate change, CNN reported, and previously advocated for the transfer of federal public lands to states.

Interior Department spokesperson told the Associated Press the ruling is “an outrageous decision that is well outside the bounds of the law.”