"David Bernhardt's new firm is making big bucks lobbying for major energy corporations, agricultural giants and more."
"As President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful” budget bill moved through Congress earlier this year, conservationists were aghast to learn that the House version of the bill included a massive handout to a foreign mining firm called Antofagasta Plc. The Chilean-owned company wants to build a controversial copper and nickel mine at the edge of Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, an iconic redoubt of pristine lakes and expansive forest. Conservationists have vociferously opposed the project, fearing mine contamination of the wilderness area. The Biden administration took steps to block the project. Congressional Republicans, however, slipped into the budget bill a provision that would have effectively given the company mining leases in perpetuity, while barring American citizens from suing to stop the project.
Though the provision was ultimately stripped out of the bill, it was curious to see Congressional Republicans bend over backwards to help a foreign-owned mining giant in such a targeted manner. And President Trump’s Interior Department is also catering to Antofagasta — recently re-issuing a legal opinion that will revive the beleaguered mine project.
Antofagasta and its subsidiary, Twin Metals Minnesota, know how to play the game. They have high-powered representation in Washington D.C.
Twin Metals, via the powerhouse law firm Brownstein Farber Hyatt Schreck (BHFS), recently retained The Bernhardt Group as one of its lobbying firms in Washington. Founded by David Bernhardt, who served as interior secretary during President Trump’s first term, The Bernhardt Group opened its doors earlier this year and has not been shy about touting its “deep and meaningful relationships with the current administration and key congressional leaders.” Twin Metals, through BHFS, paid The Bernhardt Group some $40,000 to lobby Congress, the White House and the Interior Department on its behalf between April and late June, according to Senate lobbying disclosure records."
Jimmy Tobias reports for Public Domain September 9, 2025.
Advertisement 
