President-elect Donald Trump has chosen another one of his closes allies for a cabinet position. This time, it’s former NFL veteran and Texas state Rep. Scott Turner who is chosen to serve as secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Turner, currently leading the Center for Education Opportunity at the America First Policy Institute, was previously appointed during Trump’s first term. At that time, the President-elect chose Turner to lead the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, per ESPN. Turner’s effort, according to a statement from Trump, transformed the “country’s most distressed communities.” Critics, however, said the project was really designed to bring tax breaks for wealthy investors, according to NPR.
Trump’s prior HUD plans
Trump pushed for more budgets for HUD during his first term. However, his plans failed in Congress. Peggy Bailey, executive vice president for policy and program development at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said the incoming administration is more likely to succeed with their plans in the second term.
“The agenda is much more organized now,” Bailey told NPR. “We do anticipate some pretty significant budget fights.”
Ben Carson, who served as HUD secretary during Trump’s first, outlines several controversial policies when it comes to housing. Although Trump denies that he has any connections to the document, Project 2025 aims to eliminate federal funding for affordable housing. Additionally, the project proposes strict guidelines against providing housing for undocumented immigrants.
Turner could now play a critical role in the decisions that are made going forward.
The former athlete started his political career after playing nine seasons in the NFL. Turner, who was chosen as a seventh-round pick out of Illinois in 1995, played for Washington, the Chargers and Broncos.
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