United States President-elect Donald Trump has selected Brooke Rollins, president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, to serve as Secretary of Agriculture.
“As the next Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will spearhead efforts to protect America’s farmers, who are truly the backbone of our country,” Trump said in a statement.
If confirmed by the Senate, Rollins would lead a 100,000-person agency with offices in every county nationwide, whose scope includes agriculture and nutrition programs, forestry, home and agricultural lending, food security, rural development, agricultural research, trade and more. . Its budget amounted to $437.2 billion in 2024.
The candidate’s agenda would have implications for American diets and pocketbooks, both urban and rural. Department of Agriculture officials and staff negotiate trade agreements, guide dietary recommendations, inspect meat, fight wildfires and support rural broadband, among other activities.
“Brooke’s commitment to supporting America’s farmers, defending America’s food self-sufficiency, and restoring America’s small-town, agriculture-dependent towns is second to none,” Trump said in the statement.
The America First Policy Institute is a right-wing think tank whose staff worked closely with Trump’s campaign to help shape policy for his new administration. She chaired the Domestic Policy Council during Trump’s first term.
As Secretary of Agriculture, Rollins would advise the administration on how and whether to implement clean fuel tax credits for biofuels at a time when the sector hopes to grow through production of sustainable aviation fuel.
The candidate would also lead next year’s renegotiation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal, in the shadow of disputes over Mexico’s attempt to ban genetically modified corn imports and quotas import of dairy products from Canada.
Trump said he plans to again implement drastic tariffs that could affect the agricultural sector.
He was considering offering the role to former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, a staunch ally whom he chose to co-chair his inaugural committee, CNN reported Friday.