Interior Secretary Doug Burgum Attributes Energy Crisis to Biden Policies Amid Spiking Gas Prices Following Iran Attacks

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum attributes rising gas prices to Biden’s past oil policies, even as the Iran war shuts the Strait of Hormuz and pushes crude to $100.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 9, 2026, 7:19 PM EDT

Secretary Burgum Deflects Responsibility for Rising Fuel Costs

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum appeared on national television Monday to address the rapidly escalating energy crisis, characterized by a sharp rise in gasoline prices across the United States. During his remarks, Burgum sought to distance the Trump administration from the immediate economic fallout of the ongoing military operations in Iran, instead pointing to the policy decisions of former President Joe Biden. The Secretary argued that the current administration is working to rectify what he described as a "mismanaged" energy portfolio inherited from its predecessor. This rhetorical strategy comes as the White House attempts to contain public frustration over fuel costs that have surged since the start of joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28.

Energy Independence Claims and Market Realities

Despite the escalating regional war, Secretary Burgum insisted that the United States remains "completely well supplied" and is not dependent on oil transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. He claimed that the nation has reached its highest level of energy security under President Trump’s "Energy Dominance" agenda. However, energy analysts have pointed out that while the U.S. is a major producer, global oil prices are intrinsically linked to Middle Eastern stability. The current closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which traditionally handles 20% of the world's daily petroleum liquids consumption, has driven Brent crude prices to a peak of $126 per barrel, creating an inflationary pressure that domestic production alone has been unable to offset.

The Debate Over the Strategic Petroleum Reserve

A central point of contention in Burgum’s address was the status and history of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). The Secretary criticized the Biden administration’s 2022 decision to authorize the release of 180 million barrels of crude oil to stabilize markets following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While the Trump administration has previously pledged to fill the reserve "right to the top," recent data indicates that the SPR inventory has only increased by approximately 5% since the transition of power. As of early March 2026, the reserve holds roughly 415 million barrels, significantly below its 714 million barrel capacity, a factor that critics say limits the President's ability to provide im...