Trump agriculture chief refuses to talk about where Americans get beef

Sarah K. Burris
7h

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins speaks during a briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 7, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

President Donald Trump set American ranchers ablaze with his recent decision to import foreign beef.

The Cattlemen's Association released a statement about Trump's decision, saying that they were "disappointed" with the move.

"While America’s cattle producers share the goal of keeping groceries affordable for consumers, flooding the market with government-subsidized, below-market beef is not the way to rebuild the American cattle herd," CEO Colin Woodall said.

"Cattle markets have already turned sharply lower this morning, to the detriment of farmers and ranchers. This is a critical time of year for cattle producers, as we approach the season where they are making decisions regarding their herds. Cattle farmers and ranchers are responding to strong market signals and historically high demand, and we are already working to rebuild after years of ongoing drought, high input costs and other challenges that have reduced U.S. cattle numbers. Today's announcement and other market interventions throw cold water on the prospect of herd expansion and sacrifices long-term stability for short term messaging," Woodall added.

Cattlemen's Association President Justin Tupper made it clear to MS NOW, "You don't put America first by putting US cattle producers last.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins refused to say where the new beef will come from.

Commentator Aaron Parnas questioned this detail, wondering "how is the Secretary of Agriculture not willing to talk about where Americans are getting their beef from?"

"The Trump administration refusing to tell us where beef is coming from should convince everyone not to buy it or eat it," Nebraska activist Jamie Bonkiewicz said.

"Insane ... They’re buying disgusting beef on the cheap to pawn off on the American people and won’t even tell us where it’s coming from," the influencer account Wu Tang is for the Children said.

Podcaster and activist Joanne Carducci similarly questioned, "Why won’t they tell us where this beef is coming from?"

Congressional candidate Fred Wellman pointed out that it's "literally" Rollins' "job to be 'privy' to this information."

The pro-democracy group of conservatives, Republicans Against Trump, commented on the White House's oft-repeated slogan that it's "the most transparent administration in history."

The New Republic's Greg Sargent posted on X, "The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture is not privy to talk about 300,000 metric tons of food that, according to the president, is right now making its way to the dinner tables of countless ordinary Americans? Isn't she curious about this? Didn't she ask Trump for clarification of it?"

Tennis star turned commentator and Trump critic Martina Navratilova thinks Rollins is being disingenuous with Americans. "You mean you won’t tell, right Brooke? Lying liars," she wrote on X.

One commentator urged Americans to get to know their local butcher so that folks will know where it's coming from.

After another USDA recall was announced, historian Kevin M. Kruse commented on BlueSky, "Sure seems like a cascading series of contaminated food making Americans sick should be a massive scandal for the USDA and Secretary Brooke Rollins."

From Your Site Articles