Incoming White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized Joe Biden’s last-minute attempt to undermine the incoming president’s goal of achieving energy independence, framing it as an attack on the American people.
Biden declared a ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling in most U.S. coastal waters on Monday.
With only two weeks remaining in his term, the current president invoked the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to place restrictions on areas along the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and parts of Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea from future oil and natural gas leasing.
In a statement prepared by his handlers, Biden declared any future offshore drilling was “not worth the risks.”
“As the climate crisis continues to threaten communities across the country and we are transitioning to a clean energy economy, now is the time to protect these coasts for our children and grandchildren,” he announced.
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Leavitt, speaking for the Trump transition team, criticized President Biden’s decision to ban future offshore oil drilling, calling it a “disgraceful decision” intended as revenge against those who voted for Trump’s plan to lower prices at the pump.
“This is a disgraceful decision designed to exact political revenge on the American people who gave President Trump a mandate to increase drilling and lower gas prices,” she said in a statement this morning.
Leavitt predicted that Biden’s lame-duck efforts would be unsuccessful.
“Rest assured, Joe Biden will fail, and we will drill, baby, drill,” she added.
Trump’s incoming press secretary @karolineleavitt slams Biden’s ban on future offshore drilling, saying it is political revenge against Americans who voted for lower gas prices. pic.twitter.com/WsZeb2Xl6z
— Rusty (@Rusty_Weiss) January 6, 2025
President-elect Trump made a return to American energy independence a cornerstone of his campaign.
“As president, I will set a national goal of ensuring that America has the No. 1 lowest cost of energy of any industrial country anywhere on Earth,” Trump said in his Agenda 47 campaign videos. “We will not only match China, we will be cheaper than China by a lot. And more energy will mean lower inflation that will mean more jobs.”
He promised to rescind Biden’s “anti-American electricity regulations,” noting that the United States must keep pace with a world economy that depends on fossil fuels for more than 80 percent of its energy. It’s just the reality.
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In an interview with Fox News last month, Leavitt indicated President-elect Trump would issue executive orders on day one concerning energy and drilling.
“He will use the power of his pen to deliver on many of the promises he made to the American people on the campaign trail to secure our southern border, to fast-track permits for fracking, for drilling, and to also take executive action to stop some of the transgender insanity that we have seen take over this country,” she said.
During his first term, Trump had a proven track record promoting policies prioritizing domestic energy production. He lifted oil, gas, and coal restrictions, which directly contributed to energy independence.
Additionally, his administration focused on reducing regulatory burdens and advocating to “drill, baby, drill,” demonstrating a commitment to making America less reliant on foreign energy sources.
A recent survey by CNBC shows a majority of the American people are “comfortable and prepared to support” Trump’s agenda, including those who back drilling for more oil on federal lands and cutting taxes and regulations for business.
We must get back to that. It’s a national security matter. America must return to more oil drilling to ensure energy independence, stimulate economic growth, and reduce reliance on foreign oil.