Trump taps Texan Brooke Rollins as agriculture secretary

In a statement on Saturday, Trump lauded Rollins' "commitment to support the American Farmer, defense of American Food Self-Sufficiency, and the restoration of Agriculture-dependent American Small Towns."

"A proud Graduate of Texas A&M University, Brooke earned a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Agriculture Development, and J.D., with Honors," the announcement said. "From her upbringing in the small and Agriculture-centered town of Glen Rose, Texas, to her years of leadership involvement with Future Farmers of America and 4H, to her generational Family Farming background, to guiding her four kids in their show cattle careers, Brooke has a practitioner's experience, along with deep Policy credentials in both Nonprofit and Government leadership at the State and National levels."

Rollins, who grew up on a farm in Glen Rose, Texas, was a surprise pick for the position. Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., who met with the president-elect at Mar-a-Lago on Friday afternoon, was rumored to fill the position prior to the official Trump announcement on Saturday.

Rollins served as director of the Office of American Innovation and acting director of the Domestic Policy Council during the first Trump administration. 

It had a budget of $437.2 billion in 2024.