Brooke Rollins

Brooke Rollins
Official portrait, 2025
33rd United States Secretary of Agriculture
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 13, 2025
PresidentDonald Trump
DeputyStephen Vaden
Preceded byTom Vilsack
Director of the Domestic Policy Council
Acting
May 24, 2020 – January 20, 2021
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byJoe Grogan
Succeeded bySusan Rice
Director of the Office of American Innovation and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives
In office
February 16, 2018 – May 24, 2020
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byJared Kushner
Succeeded byOffice abolished
President of the Texas Public Policy Foundation
In office
January 1, 2003 – February 16, 2018
Preceded byJeff Judson
Succeeded byKevin Roberts
Personal details
Born (1972-04-10) April 10, 1972[1]
Glen Rose, Texas, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMark Rollins
Children4
ParentHelen Kerwin (mother)
EducationTexas A&M University (BS)
University of Texas at Austin (JD)

Brooke Leslie Rollins (born April 10, 1972)[2] is an American attorney and politician who has served as the 33rd United States secretary of agriculture since February 2025.

Rollins previously served as deputy general counsel, ethics advisor, and policy director to Texas governor Rick Perry. From 2003 to 2018, Rollins led the Texas Public Policy Foundation, an Austin-based conservative think tank.

Rollins was director of the Office of American Innovation[3][4] from 2018 until 2020 and the acting director of the United States Domestic Policy Council during Donald Trump's first presidency. In between President Donald Trump's first and second administrations, Rollins co-founded the America First Policy Institute, a nonprofit think tank established to promote an America First policy agenda.

On November 23, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Rollins to serve as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.[5] On February 13, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed Rollins as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture by a 72–28 vote.[6]

Early life and career

Rollins's mother Helen Kerwin is a member of the Texas House of Representatives, a position to which she was elected in 2024.[7]

Rollins was raised on a farm in Glen Rose, Texas. She graduated Texas A&M University with a B.S. in agricultural development in 1994.[8] While at Texas A&M, Rollins was the first woman to be elected student body president. She also served as the speaker pro tempore of the Student Senate, the chair of the Texas A&M Judicial Court, as a Fish Camp counselor, and was Cotton Bowl Classic Queen.[9] In 2007, Rollins became the first female speaker at the College Station Aggie Muster, which honors deceased Texas A&M former students.[9]

Rollins earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law, graduating with honors.[10] After graduating from law school, Rollins worked for several years at Hughes & Luce, LLP in Dallas and clerked under U.S. Federal District Court judge Barbara M. Lynn. Rollins previously served as deputy general counsel, ethics advisor, and policy director to Texas governor Rick Perry.[9]

Rollins was the president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, an Austin-based conservative think tank, from 2003 through 2018.[11] During her tenure at TPPF, the think tank grew from having a staff of three to a staff of 100.[12] In 2011, Texas Monthly named Rollins one of the 25 most powerful Texans.[13] During her time at the foundation, it advocated to end agriculture subsidies for farmers and opposed ethanol-requirements for fuels.[14]

First Trump administration

Office of American Innovation

In February 2018, it was reported that Rollins would replace Reed Cordish, who served as an assistant for intergovernmental and technology initiatives, within the Office of American Innovation.[15] She subsequently joined the administration as the director of the Office of American Innovation and on September 6, 2018, also became the assistant to the president for strategic initiatives.[16]

Rollins was influential in encouraging the passage of the First Step Act, legislation that reforms the nation's prison system and seeks to reduce recidivism. The First Step Act was signed into law by President Trump in December 2018.[17]

Domestic Policy Council

In May 2020, President Trump named Rollins acting director of the United States Domestic Policy Council.[18][19][20]

In her first public interview as acting director of the Domestic Policy Council, Rollins said she was focused on bringing "together all sides of the table to figure out how we can move forward together."[21] She said the U.S. "is a nation in mourning for the senseless death of George Floyd and the senseless loss of livelihood all over this country." Rollins struck an optimistic tone on the country's future, saying "this is America and we have been through difficult times before. We are a nation of doers and believers and dreamers, and we are a nation where if anybody tells us to step back, we step three feet forward."[21]

Amid nationwide protests and racial unrest, Rollins said, "We need everyone to rise above the division and the divide and come together." She said the White House was "working through a list of solutions and possibilities, bipartisan. How do we come together? How do we use this as a unifying force for this country?"[22]

At an event announcing the signing of the new order, President Trump said his goal was to maintain law and order as well as justice and safety. He said, "Reducing crime and raising standards are not opposite goals. They are not mutually exclusive. They work together." According to Politico, the order was crafted "in consultation with police officers, mayors, conservative African Americans, faith-based leaders and the families of victims."[23]

Between first and second Trump administrations

In December 2020, Rollins and Larry Kudlow began forming a new nonprofit organization focused on continuing to promote Trump's public policies.[24]

Rollins was the president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, founded in 2021 to plan and promote Trump's public policy agenda, as well as file election lawsuits in battleground states.[25][26] The organization was staffed with multiple current and former Trump administration officials, including Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.[26]

Rollins served as a leader of the Save America Coalition, launched in 2021 to oppose Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion economic proposal.[27]

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (2025–present)

Nomination and confirmation

On November 23, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Rollins to serve as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.[28] Rollins is the second woman to hold the position, after Ann Veneman.[29] She appeared before the Senate Committee on Agriculture on January 23, 2025.[30] Her nomination was supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Forest & Paper Association, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, International Fresh Produce Association, U.S. Seafood Policy Council, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Mining Association, Independent Women's Forum, and Fertilizer Institute.[31]

The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced Rollins' nomination in a unanimous vote on February 3, 2025.[32] On February 13, 2025, the United States Senate confirmed Rollins as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture by a 72–28 vote.[33]

Tenure

On February 13, 2025, Rollins was sworn into office as the 33rd Secretary of Agriculture by U.S. Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas.[34][35]

Rollins has opposed the California farm animal welfare law Proposition 12, which prohibits the sale of food products raised in intensive battery cages, gestation crates, and veal crates, and supported efforts to overturn it on a federal level. In her confirmation hearing in January 2025, Rollins told Senator Joni Ernst that she would work with Congress on legislation to preempt certain state animal welfare laws.[36] At a House Appropriations Committee hearing in May 2025, she called Proposition 12 "not sustainable."[37][38] In July 2025, Rollins stated that she supports a federal lawsuit against California aimed at overturning Proposition 12, Proposition 2, and related regulations on the conditions of laying hens.[39]

On June 23, 2025, Rollins announced an end to the "roadless rule" that was put into place by President Bill Clinton just before he left office in 2001. The rule had prevented any road construction on 58 million acres of national forest land. Rollins explained "President Trump is removing absurd obstacles to common-sense management of our natural resources by rescinding the overly restrictive roadless rule."[40]

Personal life

Rollins is married to Mark; they have four children.[41]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Brooke L. Rollins (2024- ) | Miller Center". February 26, 2025.
  2. ^ "Brooke L. Rollins (2024- ) | Miller Center". millercenter.org. February 26, 2025. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  3. ^ Trump, Donald (November 23, 2024). "Statement by President-elect Donald J. Trump Announcing the Nomination of Brooke L. Rollins as Secretary of Agriculture". The American Presidency Project.
  4. ^ "Nomination of Brooke Rollins to be Secretary of Agriculture" (PDF). Senate.gov. U.S. Government Publishing Office. January 23, 2025. p. 9.
  5. ^ "Trump picks Brooke Rollins to be agriculture secretary". Reuters. November 24, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-confirms-brooke-rollins-lead-usda-2025-02-13/
  7. ^ Dearman, Eleanor (May 29, 2024). "A shift to the right: Challengers win Republican Fort Worth area House runoffs". Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
  8. ^ Nelson, Kriss (November 27, 2024). "Brooke Rollins nominated as U.S. agriculture secretary". Iowa Soybean Association.
  9. ^ a b c Lim, Cherie; Lankes, Chelsea (April 20, 2007), "Aggies to gather for Muster, first woman SBP to speak", The Battalion, College Station, Texas, archived from the original on October 10, 2007, retrieved October 31, 2007
  10. ^ Svitek, Patrick (February 27, 2018). "Glen Rose native taking advisor post in White House". Glen Rose Reporter. Texas Tribune. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  11. ^ Svitek, Patrick (February 16, 2018). "Texas Public Policy Foundation head Brooke Rollins to join White House". Teas Tribune. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  12. ^ Drusch, Andrea (February 16, 2018). "Fort Worth's Rollins joins Kushner-run White House post". Star-Telegram. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  13. ^ Smith, Evan (January 18, 2011). "Texas Monthly's 25 Most Powerful Texans". Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  14. ^ Douglas, Leah (January 22, 2025). "Trump's USDA secretary pick led group opposed to ethanol, farm subsidies". Reuters. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025.
  15. ^ O'Connell, Jonathan (February 16, 2018). "Trump tech adviser Reed Cordish is leaving the White House". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  16. ^ "President Donald J. Trump Announces Appointments for the Executive Office of the President". Trump White House Archives. September 6, 2018.
  17. ^ Drusch, Andrea (December 18, 2018). "White House green-lights Texas think tank's ideas, irking Capitol Hill Republicans". Star Telegram. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  18. ^ Haberman, Maggie (May 14, 2020). "Trump to Name Brooke Rollins as Domestic Policy Adviser". New York Times. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  19. ^ Samuels, Brett (May 20, 2020). "Trump taps Brooke Rollins as acting domestic policy chief". The Hill. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  20. ^ "How chatter and conservative anger upended a White House staffing search". POLITICO. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  21. ^ a b Halon, Yael (June 7, 2020). "White House's Brooke Rollins commits to 'renewing,' 'restoring' policing amid George Floyd unrest". Fox News. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  22. ^ Forgey, Quint (June 1, 2020). "Trump's domestic policy chief says White House 'working through' proposals to unify country". Politico. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  23. ^ Cook, Nancy (June 15, 2020). "Trump's answer to nationwide protests: Police-friendly reforms". Politico. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  24. ^ Isenstadt, Alex (December 22, 2020). "Senior Trump advisers prepare to launch policy group". Politico. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  25. ^ Montgomery, David (October 10, 2022). "Analysis | What Will Happen to America if Trump Wins Again? Experts Helped Us Game It Out". Washington Post. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  26. ^ a b Bensinger, Ken; Fahrenthold, David A. (October 24, 2024). "The Group at the Center of Trump's Planning for a Second Term Is One You Haven't Heard of". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  27. ^ Stein, Jeff (September 16, 2021). "Former Trump aides to spearhead multimillion-dollar campaign against Biden economic plan". Washington Post. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  28. ^ Restuccia, Andrew; Leary, Alex (November 23, 2024). "Trump Chooses Brooke Rollins to Lead Agriculture Department". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  29. ^ Bustillo, Ximena (November 23, 2024). "Trump taps Brooke Rollins of America First Policy Institute for agriculture secretary". NPR. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  30. ^ Choi, Matthew (January 23, 2025). "Brooke Rollins says she'll shield farmers from impacts of Trump's tariffs in ag secretary nomination hearing". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  31. ^ "Nomination of Brooke Rollins to Be Secretary of Agriculture" (PDF). GovInfo. United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. January 23, 2023. p. iii.
  32. ^ Yarrow, Grace (February 3, 2025). "Trump's USDA pick sails through committee". Politico. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  33. ^ Weaver, Al (February 13, 2025). "Senate confirms Brooke Rollins to lead USDA". The Hill.
  34. ^ "Brooke L. Rollins Sworn in as 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture". usda.gov. February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  35. ^ Hancock, Katherine (February 13, 2025). "Brooke Rollins '94 to lead U.S. Department of Agriculture". Agrilife Today.
  36. ^ Egelko, Bob (January 28, 2025). "Trump Cabinet nominee says she'll work to kill California pork law". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  37. ^ "Sec. Rollins Appears Before House Appropriations Committee". Iowa PBS. May 9, 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  38. ^ "USDA's Rollins says Proposition 12 'Just not sustainable'". Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network. May 12, 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  39. ^ "Secretary Rollins Issues Statement Following Trump Administration Lawsuit Against California". USDA. July 10, 2025. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  40. ^ "Trump Administration to End Protections for 58 Million Acres of National Forests". The New York Times. June 23, 2025. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  41. ^ Desk, TOI Lifestyle (November 24, 2024). "Brooke Rollins' family and love life: All about her husband Mark Rollins and their four children". The Times of India. Retrieved April 30, 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
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