Despite Its Claims, the Trump Administration Isn’t Helping Farmers at All
The Trump administration rejected five farmer-nominated candidates for the United Soybean Board, including four women, without providing an explanation, marking a departure from past practice where USDA typically approved peer-selected representatives. Farmers and board members expressed concern over the lack of transparency and the absence of women among the final appointees, suggesting the rejections may be linked to the administration's broader rollback of diversity initiatives. The move has raised questions about political interference in a traditionally farmer-led process that manages a $121 million budget for soybean research and promotion.
- ▪The Trump administration rejected five candidates nominated for the United Soybean Board, including four women, despite the board's usual autonomy in selecting representatives.
- ▪The U.S. Department of Agriculture provided no reason for rejecting the candidates and did not respond to detailed inquiries from Reuters.
- ▪None of the 40 new or reappointed board members appointed under the Trump administration were women, a significant shift from previous years.
- ▪The rejected candidates included farmers who had already been assigned leadership roles on the board’s executive committee and budget oversight teams.
- ▪The administration has previously rolled back federal diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which some suspect influenced the USDA's decision.
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NewsPolitics With Charles P. PierceDespite Its Claims, the Trump Administration Isn’t Helping Farmers at AllFollow Politics With Charles P. PierceView feedDespite Its Claims, the Trump Administration Isn’t Helping Farmers at AllA group of Iowa soybean farmers who voted for the president are undergoing a very rude awakening.By Charles P. PiercePublished: May 01, 2026 2:13 PM EDTAndrew Harnik//Getty Images4 min readOne of the most remarkable afternoons I've spent on this beat was in 2018 on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The Republicans were holding their state conventions, and all the GOP candidates for state offices were there to give their little speeches and hope for the state party's endorsements.
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