Brooke Rollins nominated to lead agriculture under Trump
President-elect Donald Trump introduced another collaborator on Saturday. Fifty-two-year-old Brooke Rollins, president of the America First Policy Institute, is set to become the Secretary of Agriculture, thus leading the department that employs 100,000 people across the country.
24 November 2024 06:01
So far, Donald Trump's nominations have sparked significant controversy. On Saturday, the president-elect introduced another close collaborator.
The role of the head of the agriculture department is to be taken over by 52-year-old Brooke Rollins, president of the America First Policy Institute. If the Republican-controlled Senate confirms her nomination, Rollins will lead a department employing 100,000 people nationwide.
As our next Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will spearhead the effort to protect American Farmers, who are truly the backbone of our Country, Trump noted.
"Brooke’s commitment to support the American Farmer, defence of American Food Self-Sufficiency, and the restoration of Agriculture-dependent American Small Towns is second to none," he assessed.
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has an office in every county and, in 2024, has a budget of $437.2 (CAD 613) billion. Its employees are responsible for agricultural and food programs, forestry, food safety, rural development, and loans for expanding farms.
Who is Brooke Rollins?
Originally from Texas, Rollins is a long-time collaborator of Donald Trump. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor's degree in science and agricultural development and then completed her law degree.
During Trump's first term, Rollins led the Domestic Policy Council at the White House. Currently, she is the head of the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank that supported Trump's bid for a second term as President of the United States.
If her nomination is confirmed, Rollins will become the second woman to hold the position of Secretary of Agriculture. The first was Ann Veneman, who served under President George W. Bush. Joe Biden has appointed Tom Vilsack as the head of the USDA.
