On Friday, former Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt and Peter Navarro had a lengthy conversation in the WarRoom. They discussed the stark contrast between Donald Trump’s and Kamala Harris’s energy policies, which laid bare how Harris’s anti-fracking stance could potentially undermine America’s economic stability and energy independence.
Bernhardt, who served as Secretary of the Interior under President Trump, is a key figure in the debate over U.S. energy policy. His tenure was marked by significant achievements in promoting energy independence, which he detailed during the discussion.
Central to the discussion was the issue of fracking, a technology that has revolutionized energy production in the United States. Bernhardt and Navarro criticized Kamala Harris’s position against fracking, highlighting the potential economic and national security repercussions.
“Fracking has been a game-changer for American energy,” Bernhardt stated. “It has allowed us to access previously unreachable oil and natural gas reserves, driving down energy costs and enhancing our national security.”
Harris’s opposition to fracking, which she has consistently voiced throughout her political career, is seen by critics as a direct threat to these achievements. Bernhardt underscored the hypocrisy in Harris’s current attempts to present a more moderate stance on energy. “Kamala Harris has a long history of opposing fracking. She even sued the Obama administration for being too aggressive on energy issues,” Bernhardt pointed out. “Now, as she runs for President, she is trying to distance herself from these extreme positions. But the damage has been done—her policies would severely impact Pennsylvania, a state crucial for energy production.”
Bernhardt emphasized the substantial impact of Trump’s policies, particularly about fracking and federal land management.
“President Trump’s vision for energy independence was groundbreaking,” Bernhardt explained. “We cut through unnecessary red tape, expanded access to federal lands, and increased the speed of permitting by over 300 percent.”
Bernhardt’s credentials are formidable. He played a pivotal role in implementing policies that increased U.S. energy production and reduced costs for American families. Under Trump, average American households saved approximately $2,500 annually on energy costs, starkly contrasting the current administration’s approach.
Bernhardt noted, “During Trump’s term, the average American family saved significantly on electricity and gasoline. Now, under Biden and Harris, we see prices soaring—gasoline is up by more than 50 percent, and electricity prices have risen by over 25 percent.”
The discussion also highlighted the broader implications of Harris’s anti-fracking stance. Fracking contributes to around 20-24 percent of U.S. oil production, making it a vital component of the nation’s energy strategy. Harris’s proposed ban, critics argue, would not only hinder U.S. energy independence but also adversely affect global oil markets, potentially benefiting adversaries like Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Bernhardt emphasized that the fracking innovation was crucial for reducing America’s reliance on foreign oil and boosting domestic production. “When I started at Harvard, the idea of achieving energy dominance seemed like a fantasy,” Bernhardt recalled. “Fracking turned that fantasy into reality. Now, the Biden administration’s policies are reversing that progress, threatening both our economic stability and national security.”
Bernhardt and Navarro presented a compelling case against Kamala Harris’s energy policies. With a proven track record of enhancing energy independence and lowering costs, Trump’s approach to fracking stands in stark contrast to Harris’s proposed restrictions, which are seen as detrimental to America’s economic prosperity and energy security.
For more on the topic, watch the full WarRoom segment:
