Dr. Ben Carson, who previously served as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and has recently been appointed National Nutrition Advisor for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump in acknowledgment of his leadership and achievements.
President Trump commended Dr. Carson’s new position, announcing that the medal ceremony will take place soon. “Dr. Ben Carson will be an excellent National Nutrition Advisor for the USDA. He truly cares about our country and will always dedicate himself to protecting and enhancing the rights and happiness of our citizens. Congratulations, Ben!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Carson, who led HUD during Trump’s initial term, was appointed as the USDA’s National Advisor for Nutrition, Health, and Housing by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in late September. His focus is on improving the dietary health of Americans through reforms centered on nutrition, along with bolstering food assistance initiatives.
“Far too many Americans are affected by undernourishment. We have a chance to equip our most vulnerable families with the tools they need to succeed through sensible policy,” Carson stated in his first comments. He noted that his work with the USDA aims to fulfill President Trump’s vision of a healthier, stronger America.
Dr. Carson is a well-known neurosurgeon and was previously the chief of pediatric surgery at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. He also serves as the chairman of the Trump campaign’s National Faith Committee for the 2024 election, where he has focused on engaging religious communities and advocating for religious freedom.
In an interview with Breitbart News Daily, Carson shared his priorities for his new role at the USDA, particularly the need to improve access to healthy food for families using federal programs like SNAP. He highlighted the significance of education in promoting healthier choices, acknowledging that various environmental and lifestyle factors can significantly impact public health. Carson also commented on broader policy challenges, indicating that certain political and social structures may resist reforms aimed at fostering independence, with some long-standing outcomes seemingly reliant on sustaining poverty.
Carson was previously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2008 by President George W. Bush for his contributions to medicine. The upcoming ceremony by President Trump will recognize his extensive contributions to public service and health advocacy.
Trump’s announcement further extends a collaboration that started in 2016 when Carson endorsed him after stepping back from his own presidential campaign. Since that time, Carson has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s political and policy initiatives, now bringing his leadership into the administration’s health and nutrition endeavors.
