Judge Vaden Sworn in as Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Washington, D.C., July 7, 2025 — Today, Judge Stephen Alexander Vaden was sworn in as the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Vaden, of Union City, Tennessee, joins Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins to not only deliver on the promises of President Trump but also to execute the agriculture and nutrition policies of the One Big Beautiful Bill.

“I am so excited to welcome Deputy Secretary Vaden to the USDA team,” said Secretary Rollins. “His policy and legal acumen will be a tremendous asset to the Department, and I look forward to his partnership as we continue to revitalize rural America and make certain American farmers continue to provide the safest, most affordable, and most abundant food supply in the history of the world.”

“I thank President Trump and Secretary Rollins for their trust in me to support the incredible men and women of American agriculture,” said Deputy Secretary Vaden. “I look forward to getting to work to support the Secretary in Making Agriculture Great Again.”

Judge Vaden previously served as General Counsel to the United States Department of Agriculture during President Trump’s first term. In 2020, President Trump appointed Judge Vaden to serve on the United States Court of International Trade. He is a native of Union City, Tennessee, and he continues to help manage his family farm.

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