President-elect Donald Trump has tapped former White House aide Brooke Rollins as his nominee for agriculture secretary, finalizing his selections for cabinet positions as he prepares to take office for his second term. This announcement, made on Saturday, signifies not just the completion of Trump's cabinet but also highlights his inclination to appoint associates from within his established circle of advisors.
Pending Senate confirmation, Rollins will replace Tom Vilsack, who has been overseeing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under President Joe Biden. This department is tasked with managing numerous policies related to farming, food quality, nutrition, and rural development. Upon assuming this role, Rollins will inherit significant responsibilities, which span from overseeing agricultural policies to critically important nutritional programs.
Rollins, 52, boasts a background well-suited to the department she aims to lead. She earned her undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University, specializing in agricultural development, before going on to receive her law degree from the University of Texas. Throughout her career, she has built strong connections within the political sphere, having served as the domestic policy chief during Trump's first presidency.
After her time at the White House, Rollins became president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, contributing to the strategic framework for Trump's forthcoming administration. Her relationship with Trump dates back several years and is underlined by her unwavering loyalty—a quality the former president values highly when itcomes to key staff positions. Interestingly, her name had also previously been floated as a potential chief of staff choice, a role which was eventually offered to Trump’s co-campaign manager, Susie Wiles.
Reflecting on her experience, Rollins once said on the Christian talk show "Family Talk" earlier this year, "I was the person who said, 'Oh, Donald Trump is not going to go more than two or three weeks in the Republican primary. This is to up his TV show ratings.' Fast forward a couple of years, and I am running his domestic policy agenda." This anecdote reveals not only her initial skepticism of Trump's potential but also the significant trust he has placed in her abilities.
The USDA has extensive authority over agricultural practices and standards, meaning whoever leads the agency will have considerable influence on how food is produced, distributed, and regulated across the nation. Originally founded by President Abraham Lincoln back in 1862, the USDA was created at a time when close to half of Americans lived on farms. Currently, it impacts nearly every aspect of American diet and nutrition.
Rollins will be stepping onto this wide-ranging platform with the potential to affect millions. Her decisions could potentially dictate nutritional standards for school meals and federal nutrition assistance programs aimed at helping low-income individuals and families, particularly vulnerable groups like pregnant women and young children.
While Rollins has not yet outlined her specific policies, the backdrop of Trump’s previous tenure is significant. During his first administration, he implemented sweeping tariffs which led to retaliatory tariffs from countries like China on American agricultural exports, including corn and soybeans. These tariffs had dramatic effects on American farmers, necessitating substantial aid from the government to help mitigate losses. How she navigates similar trade issues, should they arise again, will be closely watched.
The ripple effects of her policy decisions could also impact consumers, potentially altering grocery prices across the board. Rollins’ leadership could prompt her to advocate for protective measures and aid strategies to support domestic agriculture amid global trade challenges. Interestingly, she will be working alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee for the Department of Health and Human Services, who has made sweeping promises to amend nutrition standards, sparking conversations about the intersection between health and agriculture policy.
Given the prominence of the agriculture chief within the administration, Rollins' role may soon put her front and center, especially during crises affecting the food supply. Issues on agricultural sustainability and resource management may heighten her visibility as the USDA continually responds to the changing demands of global food systems.
Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and contributed to this comprehensive overview of Brooke Rollins’ expected role as agriculture secretary. The Associated Press also had contributions from Josh Funk and JoNel Aleccia. It will be intriguing to see how her confirmation process pans out with the Senate largely under Republican control when Trump formally takes office on January 20, 2025.
