In apparent flub, Energy Secretary Wright says US heading ‘in the wrong direction’

WASHINGTON (AP) — Energy Secretary Chris Wright raised eyebrows Tuesday after saying the country “looks like we’re going in the wrong direction” in remarks hailing a new natural gas pipeline project.

Speaking at a groundbreaking for a project that will transport natural gas from Pennsylvania into New York City and Long Island, Wright said President Donald Trump “is about driving down costs for Americans and driving up job opportunities and wages for Americans.”

Moments later, Wright apparently misspoke as he said, “Just because it looks like we’re going in the wrong direction doesn’t mean that’s the direction we are going.”

The Energy Department later posted excerpts of Wright’s speech that did not include the “wrong direction” comment.

Energy spokesman Ben Dietderich later denied any deliberate editing on the department’s YouTube account, saying the excerpts were presented under “standard editing.” The full remarks from Wright and other speakers can be seen on the department’s X account, he said.

“The secretary was referring to the wrong direction the country was experiencing under the Biden administration and under other Democrat leaders,” Dietderich said.

The apparent gaffe comes a month after Wright posted a video on social media that claimed the U.S. Navy had helped an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is a key access point for oil and natural gas shipmen...