President Donald Trump has selected Brooke Rollins, president of the America First Institute for Policy Studies, as Secretary of Agriculture.
“As the next Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. Brooke will lead the effort to protect the true foundation of our country: the American farmer,” the U.S. president-elect said in a statement.
Mr. Trump’s nomination of Mr. Rollins means that the next administration’s top Cabinet nominations have been completed.
If confirmed by the Senate, Mr. Rollins would lead a 100,000-person agency with offices in every county in the country, and his responsibilities include agriculture and nutrition programs, forestry, housing and farm lending, These include food safety, rural development, agricultural research, and trade. . The budget for 2024 was $437.2 billion.
The candidates’ agendas will affect the eating habits and wallets of Americans in both urban and rural areas. USDA officials and staff negotiate trade deals, guide dietary recommendations, inspect meat, fight wildfires, support rural broadband, and more.
“Mr. Brooke’s commitment to supporting America’s farmers, preserving America’s food independence, and restoring America’s small towns that rely on agriculture is second to none,” President Trump said in a statement.
Mr. Rollins wrote to Mr. X in response to her nomination: “Mr. President, thank you for the opportunity to serve as the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. It has been the honor of my life to fight for America’s farmers and the agricultural communities of this country. It’s a big thing for girls, it’s the biggest American dream.”
She added, “Who’s ready to make farming great again?”
The America First Institute for Policy Studies is a right-wing think tank whose staff has worked closely with the Trump campaign to help shape the incoming administration’s policies. Rollins served as chairman of the Domestic Policy Council during President Trump’s first term.
As Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. Rollins will be in charge of the administration’s decision on how and whether to implement the Clean Fuels Tax Credit for biofuels at a time when the biofuels sector hopes to grow through the production of sustainable aviation fuels. will give advice.
He will also lead next year’s renegotiation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement in the shadow of Mexico’s attempt to ban imports of genetically modified corn and a dispute over Canada’s dairy import quotas. .
President Trump reiterated his plans to impose significant tariffs that are likely to impact the agricultural sector.
CNN reported Friday that he was considering offering the role to former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, a staunch ally he chose to co-chair his inaugural committee.
In a separate announcement Saturday, President Trump encouraged former gambling industry executive and current Florida Sen. Randy Fine to run in the special election to represent the 6th Congressional District.
President Trump’s endorsement of Fine comes after he nominated current Florida 6th Congressional District Rep. Mike Walz to be his national security adviser.
Writing in Truth Social, Trump called Fine an “incredible spokesperson for MAGA.”
“Randy Fine has my full and complete support if he decides to run in this race. Run, Randy, run!” Trump added.
