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Democrats Seek Investigation of $3.5 Million Deal by Interior Official’s Husband

20 January 2026 at 14:50

Records show that Karen Budd-Falen, a top Interior Department official, didn’t disclose a contract between her husband and the developers of a mine approved by the agency.

Karen Budd-Falen in 2017. Ms. Budd-Falen, currently the third-ranking official at the Interior Department, also worked at the agency during the first Trump administration.

The Trump Administration Approved a Big Lithium Mine. A Top Official’s Husband Profited.

NYT: Science

By:Lisa Friedman

3 January 2026 at 11:30

Karen Budd-Falen, the No. 3 at the Interior Department, didn’t disclose a $3.5 million water-rights contract between her husband and the developers of a Nevada mine, records show.