One of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees is a former NFL player and Baptist pastor who served in the first Trump administration. President Trump on Friday nominated Scott Turner to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, with the Texas native “serving as the first executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (WHORC)” during Trump's first term. “I contributed to the guidance,'' he said. This is an unprecedented effort that has transformed some of our nation's most distressed communities. ” Turner must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
“These efforts, in collaboration with former HUD Secretary Ben Carson, were maximized by Mr. Scott's leadership, which oversees 16 federal agencies that have implemented more than 200 policy actions that promote economic development,” Trump said. I wrote it. “Under Scott’s leadership, Opportunity Zones have received over $50 billion in private investment!”
Turner is an associate pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. jack graham I am the senior pastor.
He played college football at the University of Illinois and was drafted by Washington in 1995. He also played in San Diego and Denver, retiring after nine seasons in the NFL.
Turner served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives.
“Scott is the founder and CEO of the Family Foundation Community Engagement Opportunity Council (CEOC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing communities across America through sports, mentorship, and economic opportunity. He is also a director of the American Cornerstone Institute,” President Trump wrote. “Scott will join me in making America great again for all Americans.”
Mr Graham praised the choice.
“What a great choice Prestonwood's Scott Turner was for Trump's cabinet,” Graham wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “He is a great person who will do a great job in this important responsibility.”
What a brilliant choice to have Prestonwood's own Scott Turner join Trump's cabinet. He is a wonderful person who will do a great job in this important responsibility. https://t.co/nhsv4aNXOz
— Jack Graham (@jackngraham) November 23, 2024
Mr. Turner thanked Mr. Trump for his nomination.
“I am excited to work with my great team at HUD to continue the outstanding work we began during the last administration. I am deeply humbled by your confidence in my nomination,” Turner wrote. . “I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to my mentor, Secretary @RealBenCarson. There are few people as caring and kind as him, so I know I have a huge responsibility. We recognize that the men and women who have been forgotten in this great country over the past four years will be celebrated in the Trump administration.
Thank you, Mr. President. I am excited to continue the outstanding work we started during the previous administration at HUD with our great team. I am deeply humbled by your confidence in my nomination.
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to my secretary, who has been my mentor. pic.twitter.com/X2ZJLSrfGI
— Scott Turner (@sturnerofficial) November 23, 2024
“Finally, I am forever grateful to my wonderful wife Robin, my son Solomon, and the many wonderful friends who have supported me on this journey,” Turner added. “We have an important mission ahead of us. Glory to God. Let’s get to work!
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla/staff
michael faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His articles have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star, and Knoxville News Sentinel.
