‘Best president … in Alaska’s history’: Gov. Dunleavy heartily embraces Trump, vows to sue Biden

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is one of the first governors to formally get behind former President Donald Trump’s 2024 bid to return to the White House and he says he has a very clear reason. 

"He was the best president, in my opinion, in Alaska's history," Dunleavy said on the John Solomon Reports podcast. "I met with President Trump nine times and every time we met, he would ask me, 'What can I do for Alaska?'"

Dunleavy became the third governor to back Trump early in the GOP primaries. Trump is up by more than 40 points most polls

The Alaska governor explained how the former president helped Alaska with developing natural resources and improve infrastructure. 

"The current president is just the opposite," Dunleavy said in reference to Joe Biden. "There's 55 actions. I believe it's up to 55 actions now by the federal government against Alaska in our resource development."

On Wednesday, the Biden administration canceled oil and gas leases in a federal wildlife refuge that had been awarded to a state agency.

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) received seven leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from the Trump administration before the inauguration of President Joe Biden, who ran on protecting wildlife. Biden placed those leases on hold shortly after taking office in January 2021.

The cancellation is certain to anger the energy industry, which is producing record output in America while dealing with Saudi and Russian cutbacks that are driving up gas prices.

"All of our people want cheap energy," Dunleavy explained. "All of our people want jobs. All of our people want wealth and revenue to stay here in America and stay here in Alaska. So I don't think you're gonna have the crowds lining the streets clapping for the president because of these decisions."

Dunleavy also vowed to pursue lawsuit to challenge the cancellation of the leases.

"The chief executive of the United States knowingly and willingly is breaking the law," he said. "Because this bill was passed by Congress in 2017 that required acres to be sold as part of the Tax Act, and so they know it's illegal."

"There'll be action, a court action-certainly from us, and some of the shareholders and the lease holders themselves. But in the end, all this is doing is it's going to end up taxing Americans," he added.