Alaska Gov. Dunleavy doubles down on Trump’s Iran war push and LNG pipeline fantasy

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy is firmly planting his flag in the Trump camp, defending the former president’s aggressive stance on Iran as a strategic masterstroke. Speaking to Fox News, Dunleavy dismissed all criticism as the whining of “naysayers” who fail to appreciate Trump’s “war wisdom.”

According to Dunleavy, Trump’s military action against Iran was not only justified but necessary, despite widespread concerns about escalating conflict and global instability. Dunleavy’s unwavering loyalty to Trump extends into energy policy, where he proudly touts the so-called “energy dominance” achieved under the former administration. This dominance, he claims, justifies the current gas prices hovering around $5.25 a gallon—and premium fuel prices climbing even higher.

But the real kicker is Dunleavy’s promotion of the Alaska LNG pipeline project. He insists this pipeline, which would export liquefied natural gas to U.S. allies like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, is a cornerstone of Trump’s energy strategy. Dunleavy even cites Trump’s 2025 State of the Union address, where the former president touted the pipeline’s potential to create jobs in Alaska and reduce reliance on hostile foreign energy sources.

Yet the pipeline project is more fantasy than fact. Despite Senator Dan Sullivan’s grand announcement of a “joint venture” with Japan, no such partnership exists. There are no trillions, billions, or even millions of dollars committed. Instead, the hope now is that Trump will push for massive federal subsidies, framing the pipeline as a military necessity.

As Dunleavy’s tenure in Juneau winds down, his rhetoric seems increasingly aimed at pleasing a shrinking base rather than addressing Alaska’s real energy and economic challenges. The governor appears ready to rename the pipeline the “Donald J. Trump Golden Alaska LNG Pipeline” and invite Trump to celebrate in Nikiski, if only symbolically.

This uncritical cheerleading for Trump’s failed policies and illusions of grandeur comes at a time when Alaskans face rising living costs and uncertain economic futures. Dunleavy’s embrace of Trump’s “energy dominance” and war hawkishness underscores the persistent influence of the former president’s authoritarian style and disregard for reality.

For independent analysis and political commentary from Alaska, support journalist Dermot Cole’s work by donating via PayPal or mailing to Dermot Cole, Box 10673, Fairbanks, AK 99710-0673.