Trump expected to offer Kelly Loeffler secretary of Agriculture
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Kelly LoefflerPhotographer: Alyssa Pointer/Bloomberg
Former Senator Kelly Loeffler is expected to be offered the position of Secretary of Agriculture in President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming administration, according to sources familiar with the matter. While the offer is not finalized until formally announced, Loeffler is slated to meet with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Friday afternoon to discuss the potential role.
Loeffler, who briefly served as Georgia’s U.S. Senator after being appointed by Governor Brian Kemp, has been an ardent supporter of Trump throughout his political career. During the 2024 campaign, she raised millions of dollars for Trump’s election efforts, including hosting a debate watch party with Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley. She is also serving as a co-chair for Trump’s inauguration, further cementing her alignment with the president.
Her potential appointment as Secretary of Agriculture comes at a time when agriculture is set to be a significant focus for Trump’s administration, especially with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – Trump’s nominee for the Department of Health and Human Services – vowing to exert influence over the agricultural sector. The Department of Agriculture role would hold substantial weight in managing the country’s agricultural policies and supporting farming communities, areas where Loeffler has personal ties and a history of advocacy.
Loeffler’s Political and Professional Background
Before her time in the Senate, Loeffler had an established career in finance, serving as an executive at a financial services firm in Atlanta. She was also a co-owner of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. Her political career began when she was appointed to the Senate seat vacated by Johnny Isakson due to health issues. However, her appointment was controversial, as it did not align with Trump’s preference for Georgia Rep. Doug Collins to fill the seat. Loeffler later faced a runoff election in January 2021, where she lost her seat to Democrat Raphael Warnock after a heated race that highlighted growing divisions within the Republican Party.
Loeffler was a vocal ally of Trump during her time in the Senate, particularly during the 2020 election certification process. Initially, she intended to object to certifying Georgia’s electoral results in support of Trump’s claims of election fraud. However, following the January 6 Capitol riot, she reversed her stance, stating that the events of the day led her to reconsider her objection. Despite her initial position, she condemned the violence at the Capitol and expressed her opposition to the mob’s actions.
Family Connection to Agriculture
Loeffler’s ties to agriculture are further strengthened by her family’s history in farming. Her family has received over $4.1 million in federal farm subsidies between 1995 and 2023, according to data from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit focused on health and environmental issues. These subsidies are intended to support agricultural practices, disaster aid, and other related initiatives.
Loeffler grew up on a family farm in Illinois, which was established by her grandfather and is now managed by her brother and his family. Her father, Don Loeffler, received nearly $1.3 million in federal subsidies, and her brother, Brian Loeffler, has received about $1.6 million during the same period. Despite this, a spokesperson for Loeffler’s 2020 Senate campaign stated that determining the exact amount of subsidies her family received at the time was difficult, as some land had been sold in previous years.
Federal farm subsidies, which are a key aspect of agricultural policy, provide support to farmers for various purposes, including research, conservation, and disaster relief. During Trump’s first term, his administration allocated more than $20 billion in subsidies to aid farmers who were affected by his trade war with China.
Controversies and Criticism
Loeffler’s time in the Senate was marked by her involvement in several controversies. One of the most notable was her decision to sell individual stocks after receiving information about the impending economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to accusations of insider trading. She later divested from her stocks to quell criticism.
Despite these controversies, Loeffler remains a prominent figure in Trump’s political sphere, continuing to align herself with the former president’s policies. She has positioned herself as a champion of conservative values and economic issues, particularly in the agricultural sector, making her a logical choice for the position of Secretary of Agriculture.
In addition to Loeffler, Trump has made other significant cabinet picks, including appointing Rep. Doug Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. As the transition progresses, Trump’s choices for key positions, including agriculture, are expected to shape the future of his administration’s policies.
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