President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday selected Brooke Rollins, a former White House domestic policy adviser, to serve as his agriculture secretary.
“Brooke’s commitment to support the American Farmer, defense of American Food Self-Sufficiency, and the restoration of Agriculture-dependent American Small Towns is second to none,” Trump said.
“As our next Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will spearhead the effort to protect American Farmers, who are truly the backbone of our Country.”
Rollins is the president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a think tank led by former Trump officials, which was created with the goal of preparing for the president-elect’s return to the White House.
The Wall Street Journal first reported that Rollins was the expected nominee for the cabinet position.
If confirmed, she would be tasked with leading a nearly 100,000-person department that handles farm policy but also oversees forestry, food safety, nutrition and rural development programs.
Rollins likely would play a role in discussions about Trump’s decisions over implement broad tariffs on US imports, which could ultimately impact American farmers.
She also would be expected to shape renegotiations next year of the US-Mexico-Canada trade deal amid disagreements such as Mexico attempting to block imports of genetically modified corn and Canada instituting quotas for dairy imports.
Rollins, who described herself as a “small-town ag girl” from Glen Rose, Texas, promised to “fight for America’s farmers and our Nation’s agricultural communities” following the news of her nomination.
The former chair of the Domestic Policy Council during Trump’s first term, Rollins previously was seen as a potential contender for serving as the White House chief of staff during his second administration. That post ultimately went to Susie Wiles, who was Trump’s campaign manager during his latest bid for the White House.
Trump also had considered nominating former Georgia Senator Kelly Loeffler, whom he has already tapped to co-chair his inaugural committee, to serve as Agriculture Secretary, CNN reported Friday.
A representative for Trump’s transition team did not respond to a request for comment.
With Post wires.
