America First Policy Institute (AFPI) President and CEO Brooke Rollins speaks during a discussion hosted by AFPI and the Abraham Accords Peace Institute on Monday, September 12, 2022 in Washington, DC.
Tom Williams | Cq-roll Call Inc. | Getty Images
United States President-elect Donald Trump Brooke Rawlings, president of the America First Policy Institute, was selected as agriculture secretary. “As our next Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will lead efforts to protect American farmers, who are the true backbone of our country,” Trump said in a statement.
If confirmed by the Senate, Rollins will lead a 100,000-person agency with offices in every county across the country, with responsibilities including farm and nutrition programs, forestry, home and farm lending, food security, rural development, agricultural research, trade, etc.
The 2024 budget is $437.2 billion.
Agriculture Department officials and staff are responsible for negotiating trade deals, directing dietary recommendations, inspecting meat, fighting wildfires and supporting rural broadband, among other activities.
“Brooke’s commitment to supporting American farmers, defending American food self-sufficiency, and restoring small-town America that relies on agriculture is second to none,” Trump said in a statement.
The America First Institute is a right-leaning think tank whose staff worked closely with Trump’s campaign to help shape policy for his incoming administration. She served as chair of the Domestic Policy Council during Trump’s first term.
As agriculture minister, Rawlings will advise the government on how and whether to implement clean fuel tax credits for biofuels as the industry looks to grow through the production of sustainable aviation fuel.
The nominee will also shepherd next year’s renegotiation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal, in the shadow of controversies over Mexico’s attempts to ban imports of genetically modified corn and Canadian dairy import quotas.
Trump said he again plans to impose sweeping tariffs that could affect the agricultural sector. He is considering offering the position to former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, a staunch ally of his who chose him to serve in his first term, CNN reported Friday Co-Chair of the Committee.
