A watchdog group, the Campaign for Accountability, was among those who asked Interior's IG to investigate. The group said Zinke's Vegas speech "seems to be a special favor provided to a major political supporter of both Sec. Zinke and the president at taxpayer expense."

On September 29th, 2017, Campaign for Accountability called on the Office of Special Counsel and the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Interior to investigate whether Secretary Ryan Zinke violated conflict of interest laws and the Hatch Act by speaking before the National Hockey League team the Vegas Golden Knights as part of his official duties.

"On Thursday, a group called Campaign for Accountability asked Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson to investigate Mouton to see whether he should face criminal prosecution."

On September 7, 2017, Campaign for Accountability called on the Utah Commission for the Stewardship of Public Lands to release all communications, documents, and invoices submitted by its law firm, Davillier Law Group, LLC. Press reports and public documents indicate the Commission has continued to work with Davillier, but the Commission has refused to release any documents or invoices prepared by the law firm.

"This year, the Legislature set aside $100,000 to defend Sen. Jennifer Fielder, R-Thompson Falls, after she and the state were sued for failing to release some of her emails after more than a year had passed since being requested by the nonprofit Campaign for Accountability."

Campaign for Accountability asked the Department of Justice to investigate whether Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin made criminal false statements by lying to Congress about conduct by OneWest, when Sec. Mnuchin was the bank’s CEO.

"The Senate Monday confirmed controversial lawyer David Bernhardt as deputy secretary of the Interior -- the number two executive in charge of managing natural resources. The vote passed 53-43."