Brooke Rollins Sworn in as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Brooke Rollins was sworn in as the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture by Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Clarence Thomas in a private ceremony Feb. 13 at the Supreme Court building. The U.S. Senate confirmed Rollins by a vote of 72 to 28.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as the nation’s 33rd Secretary of Agriculture — and a privilege beyond description to have the trust of President Donald J. Trump and the opportunity to advance his agenda,” said Rollins. “I am thrilled to lead the United States Department of Agriculture and to serve the people of this country. Every day, I will fight for American farmers, ranchers and the agriculture community. Together, we have an historic opportunity to revitalize rural America and to ensure that U.S. agriculture remains the best in the world for generations to come.”

Upon nominating Rollins in November, Trump said, “Brooke's commitment to support the American farmer, defense of American food self-sufficiency and the restoration of agriculture-dependent American small towns is second to none.”

Rollins is originally from Glen Rose, Texas. Most recently, Rollins served as the founder, president and chief executive officer of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI). During Trump’s first administration, she was the director of the Domestic Policy Council and assistant to the president for strategic initiatives in the White House. She also previously served as director of the Office of American Innovation. In these roles, she developed and managed the domestic policy agenda of the Trump administration.

Rollins graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development. After earning her Juris Doctor at the University of Texas School of Law, she served as Governor Rick Perry’s policy director before running the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) for 15 years.

FIRST ACTIONS. On Feb. 14, Rollins addressed more than 400 USDA staffers, stakeholders and friends and pledged to bring greater efficiency to USDA to ensure it better serves American farmers, ranchers and the agriculture community. She reviewed findings from the Department of Government Efficiency and said she welcomes the opportunity to optimize the USDA workforce and stop wasteful spending.

“I welcome DOGE’s efforts at USDA, because we know that its work makes us better, stronger, faster and more efficient,” said Rollins. “I will expect full access and transparency to DOGE in the days and weeks to come.”