Ex-Trump official leading Interior ‘landing team’

Kate MacGregor, who served as Interior deputy secretary during the Trump administration, is leading the Trump transition effort at that department, according to a person who works for the Biden administration.

MacGregor, who could return as Interior’s deputy in a second Trump term, held several other senior posts at the department under Trump, including as deputy chief of staff for policy and principal deputy assistant secretary for land and minerals management.

The Trump transition landing team had not yet arrived at the Interior Department headquarters as of Wednesday afternoon, said the Biden administration official, who was granted anonymity to discuss transition details that had not been publicly announced.

The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday about MacGregor’s position with the Interior landing team.

Transition spokesperson Brian Hughes said Wednesday in a statement, "As per the Transition MOU with the Biden Administration, the White House is receiving the names of those serving on landing teams. The landing team members are connecting with their counterparts at the departments and agencies."

Members of the Trump transition landing teams are arriving in departments across the government to receive briefings from officials and details about pressing issues the incoming administration can expect when they take the reins on Jan. 20.