The director of Montana’s Department of Corrections has been tapped by President Donald Trump to serve as the United States Marshal for the District of Montana.

Brian Gootkin has served as the head of Montana’s Department of Corrections since 2021.

Gootkin will have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, which is moving quickly to install Trump’s nominees. The Republican-majority U.S. Senate changed its rules this fall to move Trump’s nominees through faster.

The Governor’s Office did not immediately respond to a Monday question seeking comment on when they expect to have a new agency head. The Department of Corrections did not answer questions sent on Friday regarding Gootkin’s move.

Department of Corrections Director Brian Gootkin (center) and Gov. Greg Gianforte speak with some inmates at the Riverside facility in Boulder, Montana on Tuesday, Aug. 26. (Jordan Hansen / Daily Montanan)

“Under his direction, we’ve made historic investments to protect and promote a public safety system that supports inmates, corrections officers, and all Montana families,” Gov. Greg Gianforte said in a statement. “From securing overdue improvements to aging infrastructure, expanding capacity at our jails, and increasing collaboration with local partners, Gootkin has been at the helm of our work.”

Members of Montana’s all-Republican federal delegation applauded the move.

U.S. Senator Steve Daines called Gootkin an “excellent choice” for the position, and U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy agreed.

“Senate Republicans have overcome historic obstruction to get President Trump’s picks in place, and we are eager to add Brian to the list of fantastic nominees that have been confirmed,” Sheehy said in a press release.

Prior to Gootkin’s position in the DOC, he spent 27 years in the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office. Before that, he spent four years in the Air Force. If confirmed, Gootkin will be Montana’s 41st Marshal for the District of Montana.

Craig Anderson is the U.S. Marshal for Montana, and the Department of Justice webpage still lists him in that position. Marshals currently are under the U.S. Attorney’s authority, though there was legislation introduced this year seeking to take it out of the President and Justice Department’s hands.

There are 94 Marshals in Districts across the world, which are appointed by the President or Attorney General. U.S. Marshals are in part responsible for courthouse security, prisoner transport and apprehension of suspects.

The move comes in the midst of a drinking water crisis at the state’s largest penitentiary. The Department of Corrections, on Monday, said water had been restored to all buildings in the facility near Deer Lodge.