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Former White House official jumps to Trump-aligned think tank
A former White House official who held a top perch on President Donald Trump's National Energy Dominance Council has returned to the think tank America First Policy Institute.
The institute on Tuesday announced that Oliver McPherson-Smith, who left the administration in March after a short time on the job, is now serving as its vice chair for energy and environment. He previously served as the group's director for energy and environment before joining the Trump administration.
A White House official in March said McPherson-Smith left the administration to 'return to his family in Texas,' but a person with knowledge of the matter told POLITICO's E&E News that McPherson-Smith's husband's job at Exxon Mobil presented too many conflicts of interest.
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During McPherson-Smith's short tenure in the White House, Trumpinked an executive order that called on Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to prioritize public lands for mining-related activity.
