President Donald Trump tapped a Navajo to become the next assistant secretary for Indian Affairs back in February. His nominee is now one step closer to being sworn in as a top-ranking official, second only to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
William “Billy” Kirkland III was special assistant to the president and deputy director of intergovernmental affairs amid Trump’s first term.
During his recent Senate confirmation hearing, Kirkland took credit for helping Trump establish Operation Lady Justice — a federal task force on missing and murdered Indigenous peoples — and for inviting Navajo Code Talkers to the Oval Office.
“I think that President Trump and Secretary Burgum love and appreciate and respect Indian Country,” Kirkland testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs last Thursday. “I think they care.”
New Mexico Sen. Ben Ray Luján disagreed, asking: “Do you think the administration cutting billions from national programs that support Indian Country — Native American communities’ lives — lives up to America's trust responsibility?”
“Sir, I look forward, once confirmed, to working with you, your staff, this committee, and most importantly, tribal leaders,” Kirkland answered back, “to prioritize the money that Congress appropriates for the Office of Indian Affairs, to make sure it's best and most wisely invested.”
If confirmed, Kirkland would be responsible for upholding tribal trust and treaty obligations on behalf of the federal government. Former Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer was also considered to fill this important role — previously held by Bryan Newland, a member of the Bay Mills Indian Community in Michigan.
Arizona Democratic Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly remain undecided about Kirkland — their offices tell KJZZ — while the upper chamber braces for a possible cancellation of its annual August recess by Senate Republican leadership to finish confirming dozens of Trump nominees.
In a pair of statements, Kelly’s staff shared that he’ll be reviewing Kirkland’s record and testimony from last week to evaluate “his qualifications and dedication to doing this job for Arizona’s tribal communities” — while Gallego’s team stressed that the senator is “committed to holding this administration accountable throughout the process” by thoroughly vetting “each name put before him.”
Meanwhile, Kirkland has several key tribal backers vouching for him, including the Coalition of Large Tribes, National Congress of American Indians and Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren.
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