Federal Judge Ousts Trump's Top Public Lands Chief

A federal judge in Montana has ousted President Trump's top public lands official.

The ruling blocks William Perry Pendley from continuing to serve as the temporary head of the Bureau of Land Management, a post he has held for more than a year.

The judge ruled in response to a lawsuit filed by Montana Gov. Steve Bullock who argued it's illegal for Pendley to lead the agency because he had never been confirmed by the Senate.

Bullock is also in a tight race to unseat Montana's Republican Sen. Steve Daines.

A U.S. Department of Interior spokesman called the ruling "outrageous," adding that "we will be appealing this decision immediately."