Dr. Ben Carson has returned to the Trump administration as National Advisor for Nutrition, Health and Housing at the Department of Agriculture, a newly created role overseeing nutrition, rural healthcare and affordable housing policies.
Sworn in Wednesday by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, his appointment is part of President Donald Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which integrates health policy with broader cultural priorities.
Rollins highlighted Carson’s expertise as critical to the administration’s efforts.
“There is no one more qualified than Dr. Carson to advise on policies that improve Americans’ everyday quality of life, from nutrition to healthcare quality to ensuring families have access to safe and stable housing,” she said.
Carson’s personal story has long been a cornerstone of his public image.
Raised in Detroit by a single mother who worked multiple jobs, he overcame early academic challenges to attend Yale University and earn a medical degree from the University of Michigan.
By age 33, he had become director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, performing pioneering surgeries, including the successful separation of twins joined at the back of the head.
These accomplishments cemented his status as one of the world’s foremost neurosurgeons.
In addition to his medical career, Carson is a best-selling author and public speaker who emphasizes faith, perseverance and personal responsibility.
He gained national political attention as a 2016 Republican presidential candidate, promoting family values and moral responsibility as central to societal success.
After ending his campaign, he served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in Trump’s first term, advocating for expanded access to affordable housing and reduced regulatory barriers.
Trump has announced plans to award Carson the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his public service, according to The Western Journal.
In his USDA role, Carson will advise both the president and Secretary Rollins and act as the department’s lead authority on nutrition, rural health and housing policy.
His appointment coincides with new guidelines for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), including state waivers that restrict purchases of soda, candy and other low-nutrition foods with taxpayer funds.
Administration officials argue that these measures are necessary to reduce obesity and chronic illnesses, which now affect a significant portion of the American population.
Rollins stressed the urgency of Carson’s mission.
“With six in ten Americans living with at least one chronic disease, and rural communities facing unique challenges with respect to adequate housing, Dr. Carson’s insight and experience is critical,” she said.
“We are honored to welcome him to the second Trump Administration to help lead our efforts here at USDA to Make America Healthy Again and ensure rural America continues to prosper.”
Carson emphasized the need for policies that support families in his remarks after the swearing-in.
“Today, too many Americans are suffering from the effects of poor nutrition. Through common-sense policymaking, we have an opportunity to give our most vulnerable families the tools they need to flourish,” he said.
For decades, Carson has advocated for strengthening the family as the cornerstone of a stable society, Just the News notes.
He has argued that children who lack guidance at home often seek belonging in destructive alternatives such as gangs or social media.
“What is the basic building block of a society? It’s the family,” he said. “The family is the foundation of the community, which is the foundation of the state, which is the foundation of the nation.”
Carson’s appointment reflects a broader strategy to combine health, housing and cultural initiatives.
By leveraging his medical expertise alongside his longstanding emphasis on family and faith, the administration signals an approach that addresses both diet and the wider environment in which children grow and families thrive.
