President-elect Donald Trump’s has named Scott Turner as his pick for the cabinet post of Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). With the nomination, Turner becomes the first, and currently only, Black person appointed to a major role in Trump’s cabinet. Turner, a former NFL player with a nine-year career spanning teams like the Washington Redskins, the San Diego Chargers, and the Denver Broncos, also served two consecutive terms in the Texas legislature. While his nomination will require Senate confirmation, he is expected to face little opposition.
Turner currently chairs the Center for Education Opportunity at the America First Policy Institute and is the founder of the Community Engagement & Opportunity Council, focusing on aiding underprivileged children through sports, mentorship, and economic opportunities. He also serves as an associate pastor.
“Scott is an NFL veteran, who, during my first term, served as the first executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (WHORC), helping to lead an unprecedented effort that transformed our country’s most distressed communities,” Trump said in a statement.
“Those efforts, working together with former HUD Secretary, Ben Carson, were maximized by Scott’s guidance in overseeing 16 Federal Agencies which implemented more than 200 policy actions furthering Economic Development. Under Scott’s leadership, Opportunity Zones received over $50 billion dollars in Private Investment.
Added Trump, “Scott will work alongside me to Make America Great Again for every American.”
Upon his appointment announcement, Turner expressed gratitude and enthusiasm on X, stating: “Thank you, Mr. President. I am thrilled to continue the outstanding work we began in your last administration at HUD with an incredible team. I am deeply humbled by your confidence in my nomination.”
As the head of America’s largest housing agency, Turner will oversee a budget exceeding $72.6 billion, managing national policies and programs that address housing needs, community development, and enforce fair housing laws.
“We have an important mission ahead,” Turner wrote. “To God be the glory. Let’s get to work!”