President-elect Donald Trump has selected Brooke Rollins, the accomplished president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, to take the helm of the expansive Department of Agriculture, a federal agency known for its comprehensive reach and influence over agriculture and food policy in the United States.
Hailing from Texas, Rollins boasts a strong academic background, having
graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, before furthering her education with a law degree from the prestigious University of Texas School of Law.
During her tenure in the first Trump administration, Rollins played a pivotal role as an assistant to the president, specifically focusing on intergovernmental and technology initiatives. Following her White House experience, she was instrumental as one of several senior advisers who established a new nonprofit group aimed at advocating and promoting the array of policies championed by Trump’s administration.
As the new leader of the USDA, Rollins will be tasked with overseeing nearly 100,000 employees and managing vital programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which constitutes over half of the agency’s nutrition budget. Additionally, she will supervise the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) as well as the essential regulations governing school meal programs. Rollins will also make history by becoming the second woman to lead this important department, following in the footsteps of Ann Veneman, who led during President George W. Bush’s administration.
The USDA will likely be a focal point in Trump’s efforts to dismantle what he frequently refers to as the “deep state” bureaucratic structures while also navigating the implementation of tariffs on foreign goods. Nevertheless, the department plays a crucial role in providing necessary assistance to farmers and rural communities, making its leadership all the more significant.
As the primary distributor of agricultural subsidies, the USDA is a critical first stop for farmers seeking financial assistance for their operations. Furthermore, it stands out as the only federal agency with a dedicated rural development branch that manages vital programs related to federal broadband, housing, and utilities designed specifically for rural areas.
Throughout the first Trump administration, the policy implications of his trade war with China and other nations led to retaliatory tariffs that adversely affected the profits of U.S. agricultural products. The federal government intervened, offering some measures of assistance aimed at bolstering farmer incomes in response to the challenges posed by these trade disputes and the ensuing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking ahead, Trump may seek to sign a second farm bill into law— a comprehensive, potentially trillion-dollar legislative package that is reauthorized approximately every five years to ensure a safety net for farmers, funding for programming, rural development, and nutritional assistance from the government. The last farm bill, which was signed by Trump in 2018, has yet to be reauthorized by Congress.
SNAP currently serves an estimated 42 million participants each month by providing essential food benefits, while WIC supports approximately 40% of all infants in the United States. Adjustments to these critical safety-net programs have become contentious issues within legislative discussions, especially concerning the funds allocated for conservation initiatives.
What are Brooke Rollins’ key priorities as the new Secretary of Agriculture for the USDA?
**Interview with Brooke Rollins on Her Appointment as USDA Secretary**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Brooke Rollins, and congratulations on your appointment as Secretary of Agriculture. Your background in agricultural development and law is impressive. Can you tell us how your experiences have prepared you for this role?
**Brooke Rollins:** Thank you for having me. My degrees from Texas A&M University and the University of Texas School of Law have given me a solid foundation in both the practicalities of agriculture and the legal frameworks that govern it. Working at the America First Policy Institute and within the Trump administration, I learned how to advocate for policies that truly benefit farmers and rural communities across our great nation.
**Interviewer:** You’ve mentioned your focus on farmers and rural communities. What are some of the immediate priorities you foresee for the USDA under your leadership?
**Brooke Rollins:** One of my main goals will be to enhance support for programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programme. Both are crucial for ensuring food security and nutrition for vulnerable populations. Additionally, I want to ensure that farmers can access the needed financial assistance via agricultural subsidies, as well as bolster rural development initiatives, especially in broadband expansion and housing.
**Interviewer:** As the second woman to lead the USDA, what significance does this hold for you, and how do you plan to leverage this position to foster inclusivity within agriculture?
**Brooke Rollins:** It’s an honor to follow in the footsteps of leaders like Ann Veneman. Representation matters, and I plan to emphasize diversity and inclusivity in all USDA programs. This will not only enhance innovation but also ensure that all voices in our agricultural communities are heard and considered when policy-making.
**Interviewer:** President Trump has indicated a desire to minimize what he calls the “deep state” within the federal government. How do you foresee balancing this objective while ensuring the efficient operation of the USDA?
**Brooke Rollins:** It’s crucial to streamline processes and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, which often hinders progress. However, we also need to maintain the integrity and efficiency of vital programs. I intend to work closely with the dedicated employees at the USDA to identify areas where we can improve operations while still providing essential services to farmers and communities.
**Interviewer:** With the responsibility of managing nearly 100,000 employees and overseeing significant programs, what leadership style do you plan to adopt at the USDA?
**Brooke Rollins:** I believe in collaborative leadership. Engaging with employees at all levels will be key to understanding the challenges they face and harnessing their insights to create effective policies. Open communication and building trust within the department will be my priorities.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Brooke. Your vision for the USDA sounds promising, especially in these changing times for agriculture in America. We look forward to seeing how your leadership unfolds.
**Brooke Rollins:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important topics. I am excited to work together to build a strong future for our agricultural sector.