By Jamie Martin
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced a key decision to stop using race and gender preferences in USDA programs. These rules were not required by law and were judged unconstitutional by a federal court.
The decision reflects a shift in USDA policy. Under Secretary Rollins’ leadership, the focus is now on fairness, treating all farmers the same regardless of race or gender. The Biden administration had used federal funds in ways that gave preference based on identity, but these actions were ruled illegal.
President Trump directed Secretary Rollins to review how the USDA handles Inflation Reduction Act funds. Rollins made it clear that the department should serve American farmers based on merit and need, not race or gender.
Secretary Rollins issued an order to stop all DEI programs. The USDA is still reviewing its programs to remove any policies that may be unfair or biased. Leaders at the department say this change helps ensure that everyone, regardless of background, gets fair access to USDA support.
This reform brings USDA back to its core mission: helping farmers grow food and take care of the land. By focusing on equal treatment and smart spending, USDA aims to support agriculture in a fair and lawful way.
The removal of identity-based preferences is a major part of a broader effort to protect fairness and restore public trust in government programs.
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Categories: National