US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Saturday, November 23, that he had named his Secretary of Agriculture, the last position that had not yet been assigned within his government. The one who was named is Brooke Rollins, president of the think tank America First Policy Institute (AFPI).
A lawyer, she was director of the White House Domestic Policy Council at the end of Trump’s first term, before founding AFPI in 2021 with other figures close to the Republican candidate, Larry Kudlow, and Linda McMahon, appointed Minister of Education.
“Brooke’s commitment to American farmers, to defending America’s food self-sufficiency, and to the revitalization of small towns that depend on agriculture is unparalleled.”Donald Trump said in a press release. “Your mission will be to protect our farmers, the true backbone of our country. »
As head of the Department of Agriculture, Ms. Rollins will oversee the government’s agriculture and food programs, food research and trade, as well as food safety, animal welfare and plant health.
Brooke Rollins, 52, is a traditional conservative who could find herself in conflict with Health Secretary-designate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has promised to improve the quality of the American diet and wants to reduce chemicals and ultra-processed foods. .
For a time, the new Agriculture Secretary had been seen as a potential chief of staff to the president-elect, before the job ultimately fell to Susie Wiles.
4,000 federal administration positions will be renewed
With this appointment and the series announced on Friday night, Donald Trump has completed his government and will now be able to proceed with the assignment of the main positions in the federal administration, of which some 4,000 are renewed during an alternation in the White House.
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The future American president quickly appointed his top ministers, rewarding in particular those who have been loyal to him in recent years, when he faced several judicial investigations and trials. This is the case, in particular, of the Secretary of State, Senator Marco Rubio, of the now former Fox News host Pete Hegseth on defense matters and of the independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, who finally withdrew to side with Donald Trump .
Some government positions are still not assigned at the moment, such as the director of small and medium-sized enterprises or the office of science and technology. The White House trade representative position is also currently unassigned, but new Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is supposed to oversee these teams, which traditionally report directly to the presidency.
