Brooke Rollins worked for Donald Trump once before. She then worked on his behalf. Beginning next year, she may directly work for him again in a position that would impact every person connected to farming, ranching, and food production.
Trump, the Republican president-elect, announced that he wants Rollins to become the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, the position currently held by Tom Vilsack, a Democrat.
"As our next Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will spearhead the effort to protect American Farmers, who are truly the backbone of our Country," said Trump in a statement.
Rollins responded to the announcement that Trump had selected her.
“It will be the honor of my life to fight for America’s farmers and our Nation’s agricultural communities,” she posted on X (Twitter).
“WHO’S READY TO MAKE AGRICULTURE GREAT AGAIN?” she added.
During an October Trump campaign rally in New York City, Rollins called Trump “the most consequential president of our lifetime.” Watch that video here.
Rollins served as acting director of the White House Domestic Policy Council during Trump’s first administration. After Joe Biden defeated Trump in 2020, Rollins served as a president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, the organization that promoted Trump’s ideas.
WATCH: Lou Holtz, College Football Hall of Fame member, hosts a podcast on America First Policy Institute’s platform. He interviewed Brooke Rollins where she discussed her upbringing in a small Texas town and hog wrestling. See that here.
Rollins would become the second woman in U.S. history to serve as the nation’s agriculture secretary. In 2001, President George W. Bush, also a Republican, nominated Ann Veneman for the position. Veneman, the daughter of peach farmers, previously served as California’s agriculture secretary and USDA deputy secretary.
USDA has nearly 100,000 employees, a $437 annual budget in 2024 and is involved with farming, agricultural research, farm and home lending, food safety, forestry, nutrition programs, and trade.
Rollins, if approved by the U.S. senate, would be involved in conversations about the future of fuel tax credits for biofuels as the industry hopes to expand production of sustainable aviation fuel.
Various agricultural-related organizations sent out statements following Trump’s announcement that he had picked Rollins. Most expressed support. A few raised concerns.
Rollins has demonstrated her loyalty to Trump for the past decade.
The Hill looked at how Rollins spoke publicly in defense of Trump at a time when other top administration officials warned Americans about the threat that he would be if he returned to the White House. Read that here.
