In a move that is already sending shockwaves through the agricultural world, President-elect Donald Trump has announced his choice for Secretary of Agriculture: Brooke Rollins, the current president of the America First Policy Institute. The selection of Rollins, a steadfast Trump ally and veteran of his first administration, signals a doubling down on the America First approach that defined Trump’s trade and rural policies during his initial term.
A Vast Portfolio and Sweeping Influence
If confirmed by the Senate, Rollins will take the helm of a sprawling agency with a $437 billion budget and offices in every county nationwide. The Department of Agriculture’s expansive mandate encompasses farm and nutrition programs, forestry, rural development, food safety, agricultural research, and much more. In essence, the next Agriculture Secretary will wield immense influence over not just American farming, but the dietary habits and economic wellbeing of citizens from coast to coast.
“Brooke’s commitment to supporting the American Farmer, defending American Food Self-Sufficiency, and restoring Agriculture-dependent American Small Towns is second to none,” Trump declared in his announcement. The President-elect’s emphasis on these themes harks back to the populist rural appeals that helped propel him to victory in 2016 and 2024.
Navigate Trade Tensions and Promote “American Energy Dominance”
Rollins will face a slate of thorny issues from the outset. Chief among them will be renegotiating the US-Mexico-Canada trade deal amid simmering disputes over Mexican restrictions on GMO corn imports and Canadian dairy quotas. The incoming administration has also vowed to revive sweeping tariffs, which are expected to impact the farm sector.
On the energy front, Rollins will need to chart a course for implementing biofuel tax credits and incentives. The aim, according to those familiar with the administration’s plans, is to boost production of sustainable aviation fuel and other biofuels as part of an “American Energy Dominance” agenda.
“Brooke knows that economic nationalism and energy independence go hand-in-hand. Expect her to go to bat for homegrown biofuels and renewable solutions that put American farmers and American energy first.”
– According to a source close to the transition team
Shaping Diets and Rural Livelihoods
But Rollins’ impact will extend far beyond commodities and diplomatic wrangling. As Agriculture Secretary, she’ll shape dietary guidelines, food assistance programs, rural broadband initiatives, and forestry policy. In an era of mounting health crises and climate disasters, these decisions will ripple through the lives of millions.
For rural communities in particular, where economies rise and fall on the rhythms of planting and harvest, Rollins will be a critical lifeline. How she approaches farm subsidies, crop insurance, rural development grants, and other linchpin programs will determine the fate of countless farming towns and agribusinesses.
Ideology Meets Reality
Of course, Rollins will also be under immense pressure to deliver for the conservative base that enabled Trump’s return to the White House. As a prominent figure in the MAGA think tank ecosystem, she’ll be expected to translate ideological imperatives into concrete policies.
For an agency already grappling with climate upheaval, supply chain breakdowns, and geopolitical turmoil, the collision of worldviews and real-world challenges is likely to produce both breakthroughs and ruptures. Navigating that terrain while keeping American farmers afloat and American mouths fed will require political dexterity and policy innovation in equal measure.
“Brooke has the vision and the backbone to put America First, and that’s exactly what we need leading the USDA. But she’s also deeply pragmatic. She understands that ideology alone won’t feed people or keep farms running. It’s going to be a highwire act.”
– According to a former Trump administration official
The Road Ahead
Ultimately, Rollins’ tenure at the USDA is likely to be defined by her ability to bridge divides – between rural and urban, between competing economic sectors, and between the imperatives of nationalistic doctrine and the realities of a globalized food system. Her success or failure will have profound consequences for kitchens and cornfields across America.
As the Trump administration prepares to take power, all eyes will be on the newly minted Agriculture Secretary. In Brooke Rollins, Donald Trump has chosen a fighter and a true believer. Whether those qualities equip her to meet the moment and secure America’s agricultural future will be one of the central dramas of the coming years.
