The Trump administration announced Wednesday it is nominating Undersecretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg as its candidate to lead the United Nations World Food Program.
In February, Cindy McCain, the widow of late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, said she would step down from the executive director post. Agri-Pulse previously reported that Lindberg was the leading contender to fill the position.
The U.S. is the largest WFP donor and has traditionally nominated the executive director to their five-year term. However, the position is formally appointed by UN secretary-general and the director-general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization following an interview panel.
China’s Qu Dongyu is the current FAO director-general. But an administration official granted anonymity to speak candidly about the process said they doubt Lindberg’s candidacy would encounter any issues.
The official said they anticipated the appointment process to take several months.
"I'm honored to be nominated by President Trump as America's candidate to lead the United Nations World Food Programme," Lindberg said in a text to Agri-Pulse via a spokesperson. "The strength, generosity and leadership of the American people have always played a critical role in supporting WFP's mandate and I look forward to continuing that legacy. The United States doesn't just participate in feeding the world -- we lead it."
Lindberg has been at the forefront of the administration’s food aid efforts. He oversaw the McGovern-Dole Food for Education program and the Food for Progress programs, according to a State Department readout.
He was also heavily involved in USDA’s takeover of foreign food aid via the Food for Peace program, working with WFP to begin distributing more than 200,000 tons of U.S. food assistance, and was part of efforts to gather feedback on how the administration could reform the program.
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The move also puts a Trump ally at the heart of global food aid. Prior to entering the Trump administration, Lindberg worked at the America First Policy Institute, the think tank Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins founded with Larry Kudlow, Trump’s National Economic Council director from his first term.
Christopher Barrett, a development and food economist at Cornell, told Agri-Pulse by email that Lindberg "has a good reputation within USDA" and could excel in the position.
"He has allies in the Congress as well that may be a useful counterweight to the White House, when needed," Barrett said. Barrett also pointed out that Trump's last WFP pick, David Beasley was in charge of the body when it won the Nobel Peace Price and "oversaw major growth and professionalization in WFP."
In its statement on Lindberg's candidacy, the State Department also thanked McCain. She has cited health concerns for her departure following a stroke in October.
“As she prepares to step down, the United States thanks current WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain for her years of service and dedication,” the State Department said. “Our support for Luke J. Lindberg’s candidacy demonstrates the U.S. commitment to keeping the WFP focused on its core mission: feeding those in need.”
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