U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Dennis Kirk as an inspector general for the Department of the Interior.

This nomination will place him at the centre of any investigation into the botched renovation of the Lincoln Reflecting Pool.

What is Project 2025?

Project 2025 is a full-fledged policy agenda for conservatives developed by the Heritage Foundation, which is a far-right think tank. The agenda calls for extensive reform of the executive branch through changes to federal agencies, extension of presidential authority and remaking of the federal government’s workforce. This 900-page agenda has been characterised as a “blueprint for authoritarianism.”

Kirk contributed to the sections of the manifesto which included warnings against “progressive ideology” in the federal workforce.

Who is Dennis Kirk?

Kirk was once an adviser to Tulsi Gabbard during her tenure as director of national intelligence. He used to be a staffer at the Office of Personnel Management in Trump’s first term and held the position of associate director at the Heritage Foundation.

If he becomes the inspector general of the Interior Department, his duties will include investigation of ethics cases in the department, such as that of the Reflecting Pool renovation.

Democrats, along with the government watchdog groups, have attacked Kirk’s nomination on the grounds that he cannot impartially investigate the administration that he supports. The Senate will make the decision on whether or not to approve his nomination.