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Rick Perry
Former Secretary of Energy and Governor of Texas
Governor Who Became Secretary of the Department He Wanted to Eliminate
Overview
Rick Perry served as Energy Secretary after famously being unable to remember it was the department he wanted to eliminate during a 2011 debate. He later admitted he did not understand the departments role in managing the nuclear weapons stockpile when he accepted the position. He was connected to the Ukraine pressure campaign and influenced energy policy that benefited donors.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
During 2011 presidential debate, could not name the third federal department he wanted to eliminate; it was the Energy Department he would later lead
Admitted after accepting the position that he did not realize the Department of Energy managed the nuclear weapons arsenal
Connected to Ukraine energy dealings that intersected with the Trump-Ukraine scandal; encouraged energy executives to pursue deals in Ukraine
As Governor, oversaw 279 executions, more than any governor in modern American history; evidence later emerged suggesting some executed individuals may have been innocent
Replaced members of the Texas Forensic Science Commission to prevent a ruling that faulty arson science led to the execution of Cameron Todd Willingham
Indicted in Texas for abuse of power related to threatening to veto funding for a public integrity unit; charges later dismissed on constitutional grounds
As Energy Secretary, pushed for bailouts of coal and nuclear plants owned by major Republican donors, particularly FirstEnergy and Murray Energy
Related Investigations (4)
Known Associates & Connections
Donald Trump
President who appointed him to lead the department Perry famously could not name
Rudy Giuliani
Trumps personal attorney whose Ukraine dealings intersected with Perrys energy diplomacy
Sources & Documentation
3 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
New Yorker: Cameron Todd Willingham Investigation(2009)
House Intelligence Committee: Ukraine Inquiry and Perry Connection(2019)
DOE OIG: Review of Perry Policy Decisions(2019)
Personal Information
- Born
- 1950-03-04
- Birthplace
- Haskell, Texas
- Also Known As
- Governor Oops
Education
- •B.S. in Animal Science, Texas A&M University (1972)
Key Timeline
2000-12
Became Governor of Texas after George W. Bush became president
2004
Replaced Texas Forensic Science Commission members before Willingham ruling
2011-11
"Oops" debate moment: forgot Energy Department was one of three agencies he would eliminate
2017-03
Confirmed as Energy Secretary; admitted not understanding the departments nuclear role
2019
Connected to Ukraine energy dealings involving Rudy Giuliani and energy executives
2019-10
Resigned as Energy Secretary amid Ukraine investigation scrutiny