President-elect Trump announced Friday that he will nominate former NFL star Scott Turner to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“I am pleased to nominate Texas native Scott Turner to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),” President Trump said in a press release.
BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn us an affiliate commission.
Best Prime Day deals of 2024
Turner has a background in politics, running unsuccessfully for the California State Senate in 2006. A few years later, he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives and served two terms from 2013 to 2017. Here's what you need to know about the NFL star turned politician. :
HUD budget cuts
Turner will succeed Ben Carson, who led HUD during the Trump administration. Carson helped push budget cuts to Congress for the agency's Community Development Block Grant Program, the Public Housing Capital Fund, and the HOME Grant Program for More Affordable Housing, Carson said. states. NPR.
Many of these measures have failed, but could be reintroduced when President Trump takes office, especially since Republicans hold majorities in both houses of Congress. Mr. Carson wrote his approach to HUD in the controversial “Project 2025” playbook, which Mr. Trump has denied any connection to.
The proposal bans illegal immigrants from living in federal housing and proposes repealing parts of the Fair Housing Act, which are meant to prevent racial segregation. NPR.
NFL career
Turner spent nine years in the NFL, playing defensive back for the Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. He also played at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and was drafted in the seventh round upon graduation in 1995.
In addition to receiving support from Pittsburgh Steelers greats Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell, Trump has also enlisted major NFL stars such as Brett Favre to strengthen his campaign. We have a history of cooperating with
Turner served in Trump's first administration.
During President Trump's first term, Turner led the White House Council on Opportunity and Activation. In his announcement Friday night, the former president said he sparked “unprecedented efforts to transform our nation's most distressed communities” in the role.
Turner was the first Black person to be appointed to the Cabinet during Trump's second administration. He still needs Senate confirmation.
Turner leads Trump's think tank
Turner currently serves as director of the Center for Educational Opportunity at the America First Policy Institute. The organization serves as the former president's think tank and employs his trusted staff, such as Linda McMahon. head of the ministry of education.
It was founded in 2017, three years before the end of President Trump's first term.
he serves as a pastor
Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas list Turner was installed as associate pastor. In the past, he also worked as a “chief inspiration officer” for a software company, according to the magazine. Yahoo News.
In that role, he served as a professional leader, pastor, and councilor for employees and management.
