Trump nominates Dan Brouillette to replace Energy Secretary Rick Perry

President Donald Trump said Friday that he will nominate Energy Secretary Rick Perry’s deputy to lead the agency when Perry leaves later this year.

Dan Brouillette had been the expected successor of Perry, who says his departure announcement Thursday was long planned and not related to his role in administration actions on Ukraine that are now the focus of a House impeachment panel for Trump.

Perry had served as secretary since spring 2017, making him one of the longest-surviving members of a Cabinet roiled by turnovers.

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FILE - US Deputy Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette speaks during a press conference with the German Economy Minister on February 12, 2019. (Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Brouillette, like Perry, has traveled the world supporting Trump’s goal of U.S. energy dominance and says he supports expansion of both U.S. fossil fuel production and other forms of energy.

Trump tweeted Friday that Brouillette’s experience is “unparalleled” and called him a “total professional.”

Brouillette previously worked as an executive at USAA, which provides insurance and other financial services to service members, and Ford Motor Co.

He worked as an assistant energy secretary under George W. Bush and a Louisiana state energy regulator, among other work.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.