Energy Secretary Rick Perry has spent the last few weeks seriously considering leaving the Trump administration, and is coming up with a final exit plan, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg on Wednesday.
Perry, a former governor of Texas and Dancing with the Stars contestant, has been preparing Dan Brouillette, the department's deputy secretary, for the transition, two people said. His possible departure has nothing to do with President Trump, Bloomberg reports; Perry, 69, wants to leave so he can "build his income before retiring."
Trump and Perry get along well, and prior to pushing out former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, Trump asked Perry if he would take over for her, people familiar with the matter said. Perry declined the offer.
Not everyone believes Perry is ready to go — one person close to him told Bloomberg that the secretary has not made up his mind yet. An Energy Department spokeswoman did not confirm or deny the report, instead saying Perry is "happy where he is, serving President Trump and leading the Department of Energy."