Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is learning the hard way what happens when you make moves without consulting the White House.
Several people with knowledge of the matter told Axios that President Trump was upset that Zinke went "rogue" two weeks ago and promised Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) his state would be exempt from the Interior Department's offshore oil and gas leasing program. Zinke never spoke with Trump or anyone in the administration about the exemption, Axios says, and this could lead to legal problems — environmental groups and state attorneys general could sue the federal government, arguing it wasn't fair for just Florida to be exempt and not other coastal states.
The Eastern Gulf of Mexico next to Florida is filled with oil and gas reserves, and former Interior Department officials told Axios they believe the Trump administration will find a way to work around Zinke's promise. Trump and Zinke have had a good relationship, and while this isn't the end of Zinke's tenure, he's been knocked down several pegs as far as the administration is concerned, Axios reports.