President-elect Donald Trump recently announced his decision to nominate Brooke Rollins to head the Department of Agriculture, making her the latest Texan to join his cabinet. Rollins, who hails from Glen Rose, is currently the president of the America First Policy Institute, a group established in 2021 to advance Trump’s policy agenda following his loss in the election. Prior to this role, she served as the CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank based in Austin.
Rollins has been a long-time supporter of Trump, dating back to his initial presidential campaign in 2016, during which she was a member of his Economic Advisory Council. Trump praised Rollins for her exceptional performance in various policy positions during his first term in office.
Initially, there were reports that Kelly Loeffler, a former U.S. senator from Georgia, was set to be nominated for the position. However, these rumors turned out to be unfounded. Another potential candidate was Texas Agriculture Secretary Sid Miller, who oversees a significant number of federal employees and a substantial budget within the Department of Agriculture.
The USDA plays a crucial role in overseeing the nation’s food supply and supporting farmers across the country. Additionally, it administers programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.
Despite Texas being a Republican stronghold, the state had not been well-represented in Trump’s initial cabinet selections. However, Rollins marks the second Texan chosen by Trump for a cabinet position in as many days. Scott Turner, a former Republican state representative from Frisco, was selected to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Both Rollins and Turner will need to undergo Senate confirmation before assuming their respective roles.
In addition to Rollins and Turner, several other Texans have been named to key positions in the new administration. This includes U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe as CIA director, former Hawaii U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (who now resides in Leander) as director of national intelligence, and entrepreneur Elon Musk (whose primary residence is in Cameron County) for a voluntary role overseeing the newly established Department of Government Efficiency.
The appointment of Brooke Rollins to head the Department of Agriculture signifies Trump’s continued efforts to assemble a diverse and experienced team to lead the country. With her background in policy and advocacy, Rollins is poised to make a significant impact on the nation’s agricultural sector and food programs. It remains to be seen how her nomination will be received by the Senate and what her priorities will be once in office.
