U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum warned that California’s reliance on imported oil poses a national security risk, criticizing the state’s energy policies in a December interview with Fox News Digital.
Burgum said California sources more than 60% of its petroleum from foreign countries, arguing the dependence undermines U.S. energy security despite the state operating the nation’s largest fleet of internal combustion vehicles. We reached out to the California Governor’s Office for comment.
Why It Matters
The comments elevate California’s long-running energy policy debate into the national political arena, linking fuel imports to defense readiness and supply-chain vulnerability. The criticism also reflects the Trump administration’s broader push for U.S. “energy dominance” and reduced reliance on foreign oil.
California hosts major military installations and logistics hubs, making fuel availability a recurring concern in national security planning.
What To Know
In the Fox News Digital interview, Burgum said California’s policies have constrained in-state oil production while increasing dependence on foreign suppliers such as Iraq. “California is the national security risk,” Burgum said, arguing the state ships oil “from halfway around the world” to meet transportation demand.
Burgum contrasted California with energy-producing states such as Alaska and Pennsylvania, and cited New England’s past reliance on imported natural gas after pipeline projects were blocked, including imports from Russia.
California gasoline prices remain among the highest in the nation due in part to the state’s unique low-emissions fuel blend and the absence of interstate crude oil pipelines. Geographic isolation limits access to domestic crude from other producing states.
In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 237, which shields Kern County’s oil permitting ordinance from certain environmental challenges and allows up to 2,000 drilling permits annually for 10 years, beginning in 2026.
Explicit caveat: Burgum did not present classified or independent security assessments to support the claim that California’s imports directly threaten military fuel supply. The Interior Department has not released documents showing disruptions to defense operations.
What People Are Saying
Doug Burgum, U.S. Interior Secretary, Fox News Digital: “California is the national security risk. They’re shipping it from halfway around the world.”
Anthony Martinez, spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom, told Fox News Digital the claim “isn’t grounded in fact,” adding that the state has engaged defense fuel customers and “no credible concerns have been raised” about military supply.
What Happens Next
The debate is expected to intensify as California implements SB 237 in early 2026 and as refinery closures and fuel imports draw further federal scrutiny. No federal regulatory action tied to Burgum’s comments has been announced.
