President-elect Donald Trump plans to appoint Brooke Rollins to lead the Department of Agriculture. Ms. Rollins currently heads the “America First Policy Institute.”
“In the role of Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will lead efforts to protect American farmers, who are truly the backbone of our country,” Trump said in a statement.
If confirmed by the Senate, Rollins will oversee an agency with 100,000 employees, with offices in every county across the United States. The Department addresses a wide range of issues, including food safety, rural development, agricultural research, and trade, among others.
The agency’s budget for 2024 is $437.2 billion.
Her agenda will have an impact on the American diet and food spending. Department of Agriculture officials negotiate trade deals, provide dietary recommendations, inspect meat products, fight fires, and support internet access in rural areas, among other activities.
“Brooke is committed to American farmers, ensuring food security in the country, and revitalizing small towns dependent on agriculture,” Trump said in his statement.
The “America First Policy Institute” is a right-wing organization that has worked closely with Trump’s campaign to help shape policies for his upcoming administration. Rollins previously led the Domestic Policy Council during Trump’s first term.
At the Department of Agriculture, Rollins will also lead new trade negotiations next year for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). /VOA
