Trump Picks Cabinet Members Who Prioritize Environmental Destruction

President-elect Donald Trump completed his rapid rollout of selections for his cabinet-level appointments. Unfortunately, his picks continue to spell out destruction for our environment.

Trump named his former White House aide Brooke Rollins as his nominee for Secretary of Agriculture. Rollins is currently president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group “helping to lay the groundwork” for Trump’s second administration. The group’s key policy positions include “expanding domestic oil and gas production by opening up new federal lands for fast-tracked petroleum exploration and drilling, and resumed construction of the Keystone pipeline.”

The national League of Conservation Voters (LCV) panned the selection of Rollins. “Trump’s decision to nominate Brooke Rollins to head USDA shows that he is determined to fill his cabinet with loyalists who will do whatever he says. Rollins has a long history of attacking the science of climate change and climate policy before, during, and after her tenure in the first Trump administration,” said Madeleine Foote, LCV Healthy Communities Program Director. “We need a Secretary of Agriculture who will look out for the needs of our farmers and families by supporting robust conservation programs that ensure farmers are part of the climate solution and become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.”

Trump’s OMB Pick

LCV also strongly criticized Trump’s nominee to head the powerful Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Russell Vought. “In case there was any doubt, Trump’s selection of a key co-author of Project 2025 makes crystal clear once again that he wasn’t serious about distancing himself from it,” said Matthew Davis, former EPA scientist and current LCV Vice President of Federal Policy. “Vought has promised to traumatize civil servants and to ‘shut down’ agency funding to carry out his dangerous Project 2025 agenda, but we will fight him at every step and stand with these public servants who are dedicated to protecting our health, safety, environment, and the communities these agencies serve.”

Climate Action at the State Level

Our work is more important than ever. National organizations like LCV are doubling down on the work they do in states to continue climate progress and protect democracy and voting rights. We will continue to work with LCV and other national organizations to ensure all North Carolinians have access to clean air, clean water, and a part in the clean energy economy.

Join us in this work by becoming a sustaining donor today.