Sen. Sullivan praises Trump for resource development policies

In remarks to the Alaska Legislature on March 20, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan praised the work of President Donald Trump, saying the new president's pro-mining and pro-drilling views are "great for those of us in Alaska."

Sullivan, who walked through a crowd of anti-Trump and pro-democracy protesters en route to the speech in the state House chambers, downplayed the chaos caused in Alaska by the Trump-empowered Department of Government Efficiency, which has orchestrated the firing of hundreds of Alaska workers and halted millions in federal spending within the state.

"Our national debt of over $36 trillion has reached dangerous, unsustainable levels," Sullivan said, adding that DOGE is "making some noble progress" in reducing the debt.

Sullivan said he doesn't like every decision DOGE has made, and that job cuts "need to be done humanely and not randomly, but is the end goal of a smaller, more efficient federal government that lives within its means necessary at this point in time? Yes."

Sullivan's speech came two days after one by fellow Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski to the Legislature. Murkowski was willingly critical of some Trump actions but said that Americans chose him as their president, and she must be willing to work with him.

During his time in office, Sullivan has endorsed mining, drilling, logging and other forms of natural resource development as the best way to grow Alaska's economy and boost the well-being of its residents.

Trump's support of Alaska development is a huge opportunity for the state, Sullivan said. "We're pushing on an open door, because this president and this administration - and you can see it almost daily - they want to help us."

Hours before the speech, the Interior Department confirmed plans for widespread oil and gas leasing on the North Slope, including in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

After more than 45 minutes of prepared remarks, Sullivan faced questions from members of the Legislature, some of whom were prepared to interrogate him on key issues.

State Sen. Forrest Dunbar, an Anchorage Democrat, asked whether Sullivan would oppose cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. He asked the senator to answer "yes or no."

Sullivan refused, but his answer implied that he's open to cuts.

"Almost one-third of Alaskans ... are on the rolls of Medicaid now. We, I think, accept that. Some see it as a good. I don't see it as a good. I think our goal should be to increase our private-sector economy and increase the opportunities for people to move off Medicaid and get private-sector insurance," Sullivan said.

Almost half of all households in Wrangell are on Medicaid.

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