Story perspectives

Trump Rejects Five Soybean Board Nominees, Cuts Female Representation

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump rejected five United Soybean Board nominees, including four women.
The rejections lowered female representation on the board to five of 77 members.
The USDA gave no explanation, stating the agriculture secretary selects members from state-submitted lists.
Sara Stelter said the decision was disheartening and asked if gender influenced it.
Former agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack said the USDA had never rejected state nominees in his 12-year tenure.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump rejected five United Soybean Board nominees, including four women.
The rejections lowered female representation on the board to five of 77 members.
The USDA gave no explanation, stating the agriculture secretary selects members from state-submitted lists.
Sara Stelter said the decision was disheartening and asked if gender influenced it.
Former agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack said the USDA had never rejected state nominees in his 12-year tenure.