Brooke Rollins, president of the America First Policy Institute, has officially been selected to serve as USDA Secretary. President-elect Donald Trump made the announcement Saturday, saying Rollins’ “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.”
Rollins, who described herself as a “small-town ag girl” from Glen Rose, Texas, about 52 miles from Fort Worth, promised to “fight for America’s farmers and our Nation’s agricultural communities” following the news of her nomination. Link
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 Sen. Kelly Loeffler, whom he has already tapped to co-chair his inaugural committee, to serve as Agriculture Secretary, CNN reported Friday. CNN initially said Trump was poised to offer the post to Loeffler, who reportedly met with the president-elect at Mar-a-Lago on Friday afternoon. CNN said there had been several discussions between Loeffler and the transition team regarding the position. “But Trump held off from announcing his Agriculture pick as he issued a slew of others Friday night, raising questions about whether Loeffler was ultimately offered the post.”
Rollins is the president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a think tank established by former Trump officials to promote conservative policies. AFPI has advocated for curbing foreign ownership — particularly from China — of U.S. farmland, an issue that has bipartisan support in Congress. She previously served as the president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) from 2003 to 2018, where she expanded the organization significantly and positioned it as a leading state-based think tank.
She previously served as the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives during Trump’s first term. In these roles, she was instrumental in shaping key domestic policies across various sectors.
Rollins holds a degree in agricultural development from Texas A&M University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law. Rollins graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Development from Texas A&M University in 1994, where she also became the first female student body president.
Her educational credentials are complemented by her practical experience, having grown up on a farm in Texas.
In her new role, Rollins is expected to focus on several key areas:
• Support for American farmers: Rollins has expressed a strong commitment to advocating for American farmers, emphasizing food self-sufficiency and the revitalization of agriculture-dependent small towns.
• Trade policies: A significant challenge will be managing Trump’s proposed tariffs on imports, which aim to boost domestic production but could disrupt critical export markets for U.S. farmers. Rollins will need to navigate these complex trade dynamics while supporting agricultural interests.
• Rural development: Her background and personal connection to rural America position her well to address issues affecting rural communities, including economic development and food assistance programs.
Rollins’ nomination reflects Trump’s broader strategy of appointing loyalists with deep ties to his administration as he seeks to advance his economic agenda in a potential second term. Her leadership at AFPI has prepared her for this role, aligning with Trump’s vision of prioritizing American interests in agriculture and beyond.
Trump 1.0 experience: In her capacity as acting director of the United States Domestic Policy Council, Rollins was involved in shaping domestic policy initiatives. She also served as the assistant to the president for strategic initiatives and was influential in the passage of significant legislation, including criminal justice reform through the First Step Act.
Agricultural policy insight: Given her educational background and professional focus, Rollins has developed insights into agricultural policies, trade issues, and rural development, which are critical for the USDA’s mission.
Rollins has strong ties to key figures in Trump’s first administration, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner. Her relationships within this network may facilitate collaboration on agricultural policies and initiatives.
Dr. Bart Fischer of Texas A&M Univ. emails: “I don’t have anything to add on what you had already reported. Brooke is highly respected in Trump world, though, so I do think it shows the importance that he places on agriculture that he would pick someone like her to run USDA.”
Bottom line: As she steps into this pivotal position, Rollins will be tasked with not only implementing agricultural policies but also addressing the challenges posed by current trade practices and supporting the livelihoods of American farmers amidst changing economic conditions.