Former President Donald Trump announced Brooke Rollins as his nominee for Secretary of Agriculture, marking the completion of his cabinet lineup. The nomination, revealed late Saturday, sees Rollins, a longtime Trump ally and head of the America First Policy Institute, poised to lead the department responsible for U.S. farm policy.
“As our next Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will spearhead the effort to protect American farmers, who are truly the backbone of our Country,” Trump said in a statement.
Who Is Brooke Rollins?
Rollins, a prominent figure in Trump’s political orbit, co-founded and leads the America First Policy Institute, a think tank aligned with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda. She previously served as director of the White House Office of American Innovation and acting director of the Domestic Policy Council during Trump’s first administration.
Her roots in agriculture trace back to her upbringing on a farm, where she participated in programs like Future Farmers of America and 4-H. A graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, Rollins also has a background in law.
If confirmed by the Senate, Rollins would oversee farm subsidies, nutrition programs, meat inspections, and forestry policies. She would also play a pivotal role in trade negotiations, including the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, potentially implementing Trump’s proposed tariffs.
Completing the Cabinet
Rollins’ nomination concludes Trump’s series of cabinet picks, a process that has drawn significant attention for its mix of loyalists and controversial figures. The 15-member cabinet comprises leaders of executive departments, all requiring Senate confirmation.
Some of Trump’s choices have sparked debates, including Robert Kennedy Jr., nominated to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, a former environmental lawyer and vaccine skeptic, previously ran against Trump as an independent before endorsing him.
Other selections faced turbulence, such as former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, nominated for attorney general. Gaetz withdrew his nomination amid allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use, which he denies. Senators reportedly expressed concerns about his confirmability. Trump swiftly replaced Gaetz with Pam Bondi, a former Florida attorney general.
Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for another cabinet role, also faced scrutiny over allegations of sexual assault from 2017, which he denies. Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon, a former WWE executive, has been criticized for her lack of experience in education.
With Rollins’ nomination, Trump has solidified his cabinet team, though the confirmation process promises to be a contentious battle in the Senate.
