New Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke rides horse to first day at work

Updated

New Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke rode a horse to his first day of work.

Zinke, who was confirmed on Wednesday by the Senate, started his horseback trek from the National Park Service stables at the National Mall to the department's headquarters around 9 a.m. EST.

The Montana native sported jeans, a cowboy hat and boots as he rode Tonto, a brown bay roan.

He was greeted by a reception of hundreds of federal employees, as well as a drummer, who is a Bureau of Indian Affairs employee and a member of Montana's Northern Cheyenne tribe. Former acting Interior secretary Jack Haugrud also greeted Zinke in front of the building.

RELATED: Prisoners training horses to be used by US Border Patrol

"Honored to stand with the brave officers of @USParkPolice - these professionals put their lives on the line for us," Zinke tweeted.

The 55-year-old previously served in the U.S. House and as a Montana state senator.

Advertisement