Former President Donald Trump on Saturday announced Brooke Rollins as his pick for agriculture secretary, finalizing his top cabinet appointments ahead of his return to the White House in January. Rollins, a policy advocate and loyalist from Trump’s first term, is set to lead one of the largest federal agencies, pending Senate confirmation.
Trump’s cabinet selections have included a mix of TV personalities, U.S. senators, and governors, reflecting his diverse approach to building his administration’s inner circle. Several nominees are closely tied to his core political allies.
With Rollins’ nomination, Trump has now filled all major cabinet posts, though lower-tier roles, such as heads of the Small Business Administration and Office of Science and Technology, remain unannounced.
If confirmed, Rollins will oversee the Department of Agriculture (USDA), a sprawling agency employing roughly 100,000 people. The USDA impacts nearly every facet of American life, managing farm programs, food safety, animal and plant health, trade, and forests, as well as overseeing food assistance for over 40 million Americans.
In announcing Rollins, Trump praised her “commitment to support the American Farmer, defense of American Food Self-Sufficiency, and the restoration of Agriculture-dependent American Small Towns.” Rollins previously served as the acting head of Trump’s Domestic Policy Council during his first term.
However, Rollins’ appointment may lead to tension within the cabinet. Health secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal critic of corporate agriculture, has pledged to improve American nutrition by targeting ultra-processed foods and toxic chemicals—a stance that could clash with Rollins’ more traditional conservative policies.
Despite completing his top picks, Trump’s transition team faces criticism for its refusal to sign key transition agreements mandated by U.S. law. Senator Elizabeth Warren raised alarms in a letter to the General Services Administration (GSA) on Thursday, warning that the delay could jeopardize national security and public safety.
“President-elect Trump is undermining his administration’s ability to manage urgent national security threats, health and safety issues, and serious conflicts of interest starting on day one,” Warren wrote.
She emphasized that without the signed agreements, the FBI cannot begin essential background checks for Trump’s nominees to critical security and cabinet roles.
The Trump administration has not commented on the delay, leaving concerns about its impact on governance unresolved.
