History of Ryan Zinke in Timeline
Ryan Zinke is an American politician and businessman. A Republican, he currently serves as the U.S. Representative for Montana's 1st congressional district, a position he also held for the at-large district from 2015 to 2017. He also served in the Montana State Senate from 2009-2013. Most notably, Zinke was the United States Secretary of the Interior under President Donald Trump from 2017 until he resigned in 2019 amidst several ethics investigations.
2 hours ago : Ryan Zinke, Montana Representative, Announces Retirement; Won't Seek Reelection in Upcoming Term
Ryan Zinke, Montana's Republican representative, announced his retirement. He will not seek reelection. This marks another GOP retirement adding further changes into upcoming elections.
November 1, 1961: Ryan Zinke's birth
On November 1, 1961, Ryan Keith Zinke was born.
1984: Earned Bachelor of Science Degree
In 1984, Ryan Zinke earned a bachelor of science degree in geology.
February 1986: Graduated from BUD/S training
In February 1986, Ryan Zinke graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) class 136 and subsequently served with SEAL Team ONE.
1986: Joined the U.S. Navy SEALs
1988: Assigned as First Phase Officer of BUD/S
From 1988 to 1991, Ryan Zinke was assigned as a First Phase Officer of BUD/S.
1991: Orders to United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG)
In 1991, Ryan Zinke received orders to United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) and completed a specialized selection and training course.
August 8, 1992: Marriage to Lolita Hand
On August 8, 1992, Ryan Zinke married Lolita Hand. Both had been married before.
1993: Earned Master's Degree in Business Administration
In 1993, Ryan Zinke earned a master's degree in business administration from National University.
1993: End of Service at NSWDG
In 1993, Ryan Zinke ended his time serving at the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG).
1996: Second Tour with NSWDG
From 1996 to 1999, Ryan Zinke served a second tour with NSWDG as team leader, ground force commander, task force commander and current operations officer.
June 1999: Received Fitness Report Blocking Promotion
In June 1999, Ryan Zinke received a Fitness Report that blocked him from being promoted to a commanding officer position or to the rank of captain.
1999: Executive Officer for Naval Special Warfare Unit Two
From 1999 to 2001, Ryan Zinke served as executive officer for Naval Special Warfare Unit Two.
1999: End of Second Tour with NSWDG
In 1999, Ryan Zinke ended his second tour with NSWDG.
2001: Executive Officer, Naval Special Warfare Center
From 2001 to 2004, Ryan Zinke served as executive officer, Naval Special Warfare Center.
2003: Earned Master of Science Degree in Global Leadership
In 2003, Ryan Zinke earned a Master of Science degree in global leadership from the University of San Diego.
2004: Deputy and Acting Commander
In 2004, Ryan Zinke was the deputy and acting commander of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula.
2005: Formed Continental Divide International
In 2005, Ryan Zinke formed Continental Divide International, a property management and business development consulting company.
2006: Selected to Establish Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command
In 2006, Ryan Zinke was selected to establish the Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command, serving as dean of the graduate school until his retirement from active duty in 2008.
2008: Supports increased coal production
In 2008, Ryan Zinke said he "support[s] increased coal production for electrical generation and believe[s] it can and should be done with adequate environmental safeguards".
2008: Elected to Montana State Senate
In 2008, Ryan Zinke was elected to the Montana State Senate, representing the city of Whitefish.
2009: Began serving in Montana Senate
In 2009, Ryan Zinke began serving in the Montana State Senate.
2009: Montana State Senator
In 2009, Ryan Zinke began serving in the Montana State Senate.
2009: Formed On Point Montana
In 2009, Ryan Zinke formed the consulting company On Point Montana.
2010: Signed letter calling global warming a threat
In 2010, Ryan Zinke signed a letter calling global warming "a threat multiplier for instability in the most volatile regions of the world".
2010: Signed letter calling for climate change legislation
In 2010, while in the Montana Senate, Ryan Zinke was one of nearly 1,200 state legislators who signed a letter to President Barack Obama and Congress calling for "comprehensive clean energy jobs and climate change legislation."
2012: Joined board of QS Energy
From 2012 to 2015, Ryan Zinke served on the board of the oil pipeline company QS Energy (formerly Save the World Air).
2012: Founded Special Operations for America
In 2012, Ryan Zinke founded a super PAC named Special Operations for America, or SOFA, to support Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign.
2012: Running mate for Montana gubernatorial candidate
In the 2012 election, Ryan Zinke was the running mate of Montana gubernatorial candidate Neil Livingstone. The Livingstone/Zinke ticket won 8.8% of the vote, a total of 12,038 votes.
September 30, 2013: Resigned as chairman of SOFA
On September 30, 2013, Ryan Zinke announced he was resigning as chairman of SOFA.
November 20, 2013: SOFA Made Independent Expenditures
Since November 20, 2013, SOFA had been making independent expenditures in support of Ryan Zinke's campaign.
2013: End of term as Montana State Senator
In 2013, Ryan Zinke concluded his service in the Montana State Senate.
2013: Hosted radio show promoting conspiratorial views
In 2013, Ryan Zinke hosted a radio show in which he engaged with and promoted fringe conspiratorial views, including birtherism.
2013: End of Montana Senate term
In 2013, Ryan Zinke's term in the Montana State Senate ended.
October 2014: Climate Change Views
In an October 2014 debate, Ryan Zinke said, "it's not a hoax, but it's not proven science either."
November 2014: Announcement Regarding Continental Divide
In November 2014, Ryan Zinke announced that he would pass Continental Divide to his family while remaining in an advisory role.
2014: FEC Complaint Filed
In 2014, the Campaign Legal Center and Democracy 21 filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission regarding coordination between Ryan Zinke's campaign and SOFA.
2014: Announced Candidacy for Montana's At-Large Congressional District
In the spring of 2014, Ryan Zinke announced his candidacy for Montana's at-large congressional district.
2015: U.S. Representative for the At-Large Congressional District
In 2015, Ryan Zinke began serving as the U.S. representative for the at-large congressional district.
2015: Voted for digital learning amendment
In 2015, Ryan Zinke voted for an amendment proposed by Representative Dave Loebsack that provided for the expansion of the use of digital learning through the establishment of a competitive grant program to implement and evaluate the results of technology-based learning practices.
2015: End of term on board of QS Energy
In 2015, Ryan Zinke's term ended on the board of the oil pipeline company QS Energy (formerly Save the World Air).
2015: Greater Sage-Grouse Protection Plan
In 2015, a plan was put in place to protect the greater sage-grouse. This was later unwound by Ryan Zinke in 2017.
July 2016: Withdrew as Republican National Convention Delegate
In July 2016, Ryan Zinke withdrew as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in protest of the portion of the party's draft platform that would require that certain public lands be transferred to state control.
December 13, 2016: Nomination for Secretary of the Interior
On December 13, 2016, Ryan Zinke was named as President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for United States Secretary of the Interior, at the recommendation of Donald Trump Jr.
December 2016: No FEC Action on Complaint
As of December 2016, the FEC had taken no action on the matter of the complaint filed in 2014.
2016: Elected to Congress
In 2016, Ryan Zinke was elected to Congress, defeating Democratic nominee Denise Juneau with 56% of the vote.
2016: Appeared on "Where's Obama's Birth Certificate"
In 2016, as a congressman, Ryan Zinke appeared on the radio show Where's Obama's Birth Certificate, known for its promotion of birther conspiracy theories.
January 2017: Condemned anti-Semitic views
In January 2017, Ryan Zinke condemned the "anti-Semitic views" held by neo-Nazis planning a march in support of Richard B. Spencer in Whitefish, Montana.
January 19, 2017: Policy Rescinded by Zinke
On January 19, 2017, Zinke rescinded the policy implemented by outgoing Fish and Wildlife Service Director Daniel M. Ashe that banned the use of lead bullets and lead fishing tackle in national wildlife refuges.
January 31, 2017: Nomination Approved by Senate Committee
On January 31, 2017, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved Ryan Zinke's nomination for Secretary of the Interior by a 16–6 vote.
March 1, 2017: Confirmed as Secretary of Interior
On March 1, 2017, Ryan Zinke was confirmed as Secretary of the Interior, becoming the first SEAL and first Montanan since statehood to occupy a Cabinet position.
April 2017: Review of National Monuments Initiated
In April 2017, Zinke began reviewing at least 27 national monuments to determine whether any of them could be reduced in size.
June 2017: Job Cuts and Reassignments at the Interior Department
In June 2017, Ryan Zinke called for the elimination of 4,000 jobs from the Interior Department and supported the White House proposal to cut the department's budget by 13.4%. He also ordered 50 Interior members of the Senior Executive Service to be reassigned.
June 2017: Recommendation to Scale Back Bears Ears National Monument
In June 2017, Zinke recommended that the boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument be scaled back.
June 2017: Chartered Jet Flight to Las Vegas
On June 26, 2017, Ryan Zinke chartered a flight to give a speech to the Las Vegas Golden Knights. In April 2018, The Interior Department's Office of Inspector General released a report concluding that the speech was not official business because Zinke did not discuss the Interior Department or his role as Interior Secretary.
July 2017: Government Helicopter Use
In July 2017, Ryan Zinke booked government helicopters for more than $14,000 for various trips, including the swearing-in ceremony of his successor in Congress and a horseback ride with Vice President Mike Pence. The Department of Interior defended the use of government helicopters.
October 2017: Investigation into Charter Flights Launched
In October 2017, the Interior Department's Office of Inspector General (OIG) launched an investigation into Ryan Zinke's use of three charter flights during his tenure as Interior Secretary.
October 2017: Hatch Act Investigation Launched
In October 2017, the United States Office of Special Counsel launched a Hatch Act investigation into Ryan Zinke's meeting with the Vegas Golden Knights.
November 2017: Proposed Lifting of Import Ban on Big-Game Trophies
In November 2017, it was announced that Trump, on Zinke's advice, wanted to lift the import ban on elephant and other big-game trophies from Zambia and Zimbabwe to the United States.
December 2017: Politico Reports on Helicopter Use
In December 2017, Politico reported on Ryan Zinke's booking of government helicopters for over $14,000 in June and July 2017. Zinke dismissed the reporting as "total fabrications and a wild departure of reality."
December 2017: Reduction of National Monuments
In December 2017, President Trump, after Zinke's recommendation, signed executive proclamations that reduced Bears Ears National Monument by 85% and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument by almost 46%. Zinke also recommended shrinking two more national monuments—Gold Butte National Monument and Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument.
2017: Secretary of Interior
In 2017, Ryan Zinke began serving as the United States secretary of the interior under president Donald Trump.
2017: Remarks on Interior Department Employees' Loyalty
In 2017, Ryan Zinke stated that one-third of Interior Department employees were disloyal to Trump, sparking controversy and objections.
2017: Steps to Unwind Sage-Grouse Plan
In 2017, Zinke took steps to unwind a 2015 plan that protected the greater sage-grouse, potentially opening its habitat to mineral extraction and grazing.
March 1, 2018: Trophy Hunting Permits
On March 1, 2018, the Fish and Wildlife Services declared that it would permit trophy hunting for elephants on a "case-by-case basis."
March 2018: Zinke's Statement on Private Jet Use
In a March 2018 Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Ryan Zinke stated that it was false that he had taken a private jet anywhere, clarifying that the charter flights he took were on aircraft with propellers, not jet engines.
April 2018: OIG Report on Chartered Flights Released
In April 2018, the Interior Department's Office of Inspector General (OIG) released its report, concluding that Ryan Zinke's chartered flight to give the June 2017 speech to the Las Vegas Golden Knights was authorized "without complete information."
August 2018: Remarks on California Wildfires
In August 2018, Ryan Zinke initially blamed "environmental terrorist groups" for the wildfires in California, but later acknowledged that climate change played a part in the fires.
September 2018: Calendar of Activities Vaguely Described
In September 2018, it was noted that the calendars of Ryan Zinke's activities were "so vaguely described... that the public is unable tell what he was doing or with whom he was meeting."
October 2018: Omissions in Zinke's Calendar Revealed
In October 2018, FOIA requests revealed that Ryan Zinke's calendar, which was supposed to cover the Secretary of the Interior's activities, contained glaring omissions.
October 2018: Investigation referred to the Department of Justice
In October 2018, the Interior's inspector general referred the investigation of Ryan Zinke to the Department of Justice.
October 30, 2018: Referral to Department of Justice
As of October 30, 2018, the OIG had referred Ryan Zinke to the Department of Justice for investigation, including of whether he lied to the OIG about his involvement in reviewing a tribal casino project in Connecticut.
December 15, 2018: Trump Announces Zinke's Departure
On December 15, 2018, President Trump announced that Ryan Zinke would leave his post as Secretary of the Interior as of January 2, 2019.
2018: Proposed Budget Cuts to Interior Department for 2019
In 2018, Ryan Zinke proposed budget cuts to the Interior Department for fiscal year 2019, which would have cut the Land and Water Conservation Fund to $8 million from $425 million in 2018.
January 2, 2019: Zinke Leaves Post as Secretary of Interior
On January 2, 2019, Ryan Zinke left his post as Secretary of Interior.
January 2019: Managing Director of Artillery One
In January 2019, Ryan Zinke began a new job as the managing director of Artillery One, a cryptocurrency investment firm.
2019: Fiscal year 2019 Budget Cuts to Interior Department Proposed by Zinke in 2018
In 2018, Ryan Zinke proposed budget cuts to the Interior Department for fiscal year 2019, mostly from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Geological Survey. His proposed budget would also have cut the Land and Water Conservation Fund to $8 million from $425 million in 2018.
2019: Resignation as Secretary of Interior
In 2019, Ryan Zinke resigned from his position as the United States secretary of the interior.
2019: Probe into Zinke Stalled
In late 2019, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen stalled the probe into Ryan Zinke. Federal prosecutors had proposed to move forward with possible criminal charges against Zinke over his involvement in the casino deal.
May 2020: Criticism of Investigations
In May 2020, Ryan Zinke criticized the investigations that led to his departure, claiming they were politicized.
April 2021: Federal Judge Blocks Expansion of Livestock Grazing
In April 2021, a federal judge blocked the expansion of livestock grazing in Nevada across four hundred square miles of sage-grouse habitat, which was proposed by Zinke in 2017.
2021: Reported Change of Residence
In 2021, Politico reported that Ryan Zinke no longer resided at his Whitefish house and spent more time in Santa Barbara.
2024: Zinke Wins General Election
In 2024, Ryan Zinke defeated Democratic nominee Monica Tranel in the general election with 52% of the vote to Tranel's 45%.
June 2025: Opposition to Senate's One Big Beautiful Bill
In June 2025, Ryan Zinke expressed opposition to the Senate's version of the One Big Beautiful Bill over concerns of the proposed sale of over 1.2 million acres of public lands.
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