Dr. Ben Carson, first-term Trump Cabinet member, returns to administration to help in MAHA effort

The Trump administration announced Wednesday that former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson is joining the Agriculture Department as a nutrition, health and housing adviser.

Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, served as President Donald Trump's Housing and Urban Development Secretary during the president's first term. Scott Turner holds the position for Trump's second term.

The USDA said Carson will be advising Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on policies related to nutrition, rural healthcare quality, and housing accessibility. He will also join Rollins on Trump's "Make America Healthy Again" Commission.

“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,” Rollins said in a statement. 

“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.

Carson was also a 2016 GOP presidential candidate. 

His return to the administration follows its approval ofwaivers in a dozen states so far to ban Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries from using the program to purchase junk food like soda and candy.

SNAP benefits are intended to help low-income residents cover the costs of groceries but have partly been used in the past on non-healthy items that experts believe have contributed to the rise in obesity and chronic diseases.

“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,” Carson said. “I am honored to work with Secretary Rollins on these important initiatives to help fulfill President Trump’s vision for a healthier, stronger America.”

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.