President Trump has again nominated Mindy Brashears, Ph.D. to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety. 

Dr. Brashears served in the same position during part of Trump’s first term. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 23, 2020, around the same time that the COVID-19 pandemic was dominating the headlines.

Her current nomination is now before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. A hearing date has yet to be scheduled.

Prior to serving in Trump’s first administration, Dr. Brashears was a professor of food safety and public health and the director of the International Center for Food Industry Excellence at Texas Tech University.

Since serving in Trump’s first administration, Dr. Brashears has returned to Texas Tech University.

Update, October 31, 2025: During an October 29 Senate confirmation hearing, Dr. Mindy Brashears provided insight into what her priorities will be if she is confirmed for the position—with Salmonella topping her list, followed by Listeria.