A Democratic lawmaker laughed at a Trump administration official during a congressional hearing on Wednesday after the cabinet member made a peculiar claim that soaring gas prices were "exciting."
Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) pressed Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to answer questions about the rising costs at the pump for Americans as Burgum testified about President Donald Trump's 2027 budget request before the House Natural Resources Committee in Washington, D.C.
"Mr. Secretary, while you're funneling billions into these vanity projects, gas is up by an average of $1.40 a gallon from last year," Huffman said.
"In March, President Donald Trump posted this message. He said, 'the United States is the largest oil producer in the world by far, so when oil prices go up we make a lot of money," Huffman said, making air quotes with his hand while saying "we," and asking, "Who's the we?"
Burgum responded to Huffman's question.
"It could be states, the federal government, the American people, when we collect royalty rates on oil production on federal lands and so prices are higher than there's more revenue coming into the system," Burgum said.
But Huffman wasn't satisfied with that response.
"So this is good for American families that they're paying $1.40 more for gas?" Huffman asked.
"I'm not saying that, but I'm thrilled that they're paying about a buck less than they were during the Biden administration. I mean, that's exciting," Burgum said. "And these prices are going to drop quickly again because now we actually have supply, you know prices are based on supply."
Huffman interjected and called out Burgum's claims.
"There's a real disconnect here," Huffman said. "Americans are not celebrating this spike in gas prices, that you seem to think is just great. And your only answer is to harken back to the depths of the pandemic."
Burgum tried to argue again, and Huffman chuckled at his remarks.
"Americans are paying $1.40 more a gallon and there's no end in sight to this energy crisis created by the war in Iran," Huffman added. "They're the ones who can't afford to keep the lights on and keep food on the table, but the 'we' that's making a lot more money — let's be honest about it — are the big oil billionaires."
BURGUM: I'm thrilled Americans are paying about a buck less for gas than they did during the Biden administration. That's exciting
HUFFMAN: There's a real disconnect here. Americans are not celebrating this spike in gas prices, and your only answer is to harken back to the… pic.twitter.com/F1JbYUwz8x
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 13, 2026