New USDA Secretary Advocates for Reforms in 16 Nutrition Programs, Highlights DOGE Collaboration
Newly appointed Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins delineated her vision for the agency’s transformation, focusing on enhancing efficiency and accountability.
On her first full day as the secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Brooke Rollins shared her plans for revamping the agency’s 16 nutrition programs. She highlighted the importance of accountability, efficiency, and innovation in a letter addressed to state, tribal, territorial, and local government partners.
In the letter, she expressed her dedication to modernizing these programs while ensuring that taxpayer money is utilized responsibly.
She anticipated full cooperation from USDA staff in DOGE’s mission to streamline operations and enhance service delivery.
She outlined several priorities, including reducing fraud and abuse in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other programs, clarifying statutory and regulatory requirements, and enhancing customer service for beneficiaries.
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Rollins also emphasized her intention to tie SNAP benefits to tangible work expectations for eligible individuals, to foster connections between American farmers and nutrition assistance programs, and to ensure that federal dietary policies are driven by scientific evidence instead of political motives.
“We have a unique opportunity to enhance nutrition programs to more effectively assist those in need,” Rollins stated in her letter. “Our collective aim should be to uplift millions of Americans from dependency to a brighter future filled with possibilities.”
In her address at USDA, Rollins reiterated that the agency’s primary mission is to support American farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. She acknowledged the pressing challenges facing agriculture, such as market fluctuations, labor shortages, and regulatory challenges, which necessitate immediate and strategic responses.
“It’s a lifetime honor to serve as the nation’s 33rd agriculture secretary and an unparalleled privilege to have the confidence of President Donald J. Trump,” Rollins shared.
She also discussed DOGE’s recent involvement in USDA operations, confirming that its representatives had been actively engaged on-site for several weeks.
“We welcome these efforts, knowing they will enhance our work at USDA,” she affirmed. “This will make us stronger, quicker, and more efficient.”
She expressed eagerness to collaborate with DOGE and USDA staff over the coming days and weeks “to establish a stronger and better USDA.”
In addition to revamping nutrition programs, Rollins announced plans to discontinue diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the department, deeming them divisive and unnecessary. Furthermore, she committed to reinstating all USDA staff to in-person work, highlighting the need for the agency to model the operational methods of American farmers and ranchers who do not work remotely.
Her appointment comes at a crucial time for the USDA, which is grappling with significant challenges, including negotiations for the next Farm Bill and addressing issues surrounding escalating food prices and supply chain disruptions.
Rollins expressed her confidence that her leadership would instigate substantial change.
“We will diligently work to position American agriculture to confront today’s challenges while continuing to lead into the future,” she affirmed. “Together, we are destined to bring increased prosperity, opportunity, and stability to rural communities across our great nation.”
Jeff Louderback contributed to this report.
