Former Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson has been named to a new advisory position at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he will focus on nutrition, healthcare, and housing as part of President Donald Trump’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, as reported [1] by Newsmax.
The USDA announced Carson’s appointment on Wednesday, describing the position as central to advancing the administration’s health and nutrition priorities.
Carson, a retired neurosurgeon and 2016 Republican presidential candidate, served as HUD secretary from 2017 to 2021 during President Trump’s first term.
Ben Carson is joining USDA as an adviser on nutrition/MAHA issues
The former HUD secretary will be USDA’s “chief spokesperson” for nutrition, health and housing, per an announcement @politico [2] obtainedhttps://t.co/QvVUFay4uR [3]
— Grace Yarrow (@YarrowGrace) September 24, 2025 [4]
In his new role, Carson will serve as the department’s lead spokesperson on nutrition, rural healthcare, and housing issues. He will work closely with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to the USDA statement.
The MAHA initiative represents a broad policy framework aimed at reshaping federal health and nutrition programs. Among its current proposals are state-level restrictions on the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the purchase of junk food.
The administration is also preparing updates to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are revised every five years and provide the federal government’s official nutrition recommendations. These guidelines influence school meal programs, healthcare advice, and food labeling standards.
Carson’s appointment comes at a time when the USDA is taking on a larger role in health policy implementation. The agency’s work under MAHA will coordinate with HHS and other departments to promote healthier lifestyles and ensure federal resources are directed toward nutrition and wellness.
In addition to his new USDA role, Carson continues to hold other responsibilities within the Trump administration. Earlier this year, he was named vice chair of the Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty, highlighting his involvement in policy areas that extend beyond medicine and housing.
Carson’s expanded portfolio underscores his continued presence in national policy discussions and his alignment with President Trump’s broader agenda on health, nutrition, and individual rights.