One of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks is a Baptist pastor who formerly played in the NFL and also served in the first Trump administration. Trump on Friday named Scott Turner as his choice for secretary of Housing and Urban Development, saying the Texas native “served as the First Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (WHORC)” during the first Trump term, “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Turner must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
“Those efforts, working together with former HUD Secretary Ben Carson, were maximized by Scott’s guidance in overseeing 16 Federal Agencies which implemented more than 200 policy actions furthering Economic Development,” Trump wrote. “Under Scott’s leadership, Opportunity Zones received over $50 Billion Dollars in Private Investment!”
Turner is an associate pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, where Jack Graham is senior pastor.
He played college football at the University of Illinois and was drafted in 1995 by Washington. He also played for San Diego and Denver before retiring after nine seasons in the NFL.
Turner served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives.
“Scott is the Founder & CEO of his Family’s Foundation, Community Engagement & Opportunity Council (CEOC), working to revitalize communities across America through Sports, Mentorship, and Economic Opportunity. He is also on the Board of the American Cornerstone Institute,” Trump wrote. “Scott will work alongside me to Make America Great Again for EVERY American.”
Graham applauded the choice.
“What a glorious choice Prestonwood’s own Scott Turner in the Trump cabinet,” Graham wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Great man who will do a tremendous job in this important responsibility.”
What a glorious choice Prestonwood’s own Scott Turner in the Trump cabinet. Great man who will do a tremendous job in this important responsibility. https://t.co/nhsv4aNXOz
— Jack Graham (@jackngraham) November 23, 2024
Turner thanked Trump for the nomination.
“I am thrilled to continue the outstanding work we began in your last administration at HUD with an incredible team. I am deeply humbled by your confidence in my nomination,” Turner wrote. “I would also like to express the sincerest of gratitude to my mentor, Secretary @RealBenCarson. Few people are as compassionate and gracious as he is, and I am aware that I have big shoes to fill. The forgotten men and women of this great country over the past four years will be honored in the Trump administration.
Thank you, Mr. President. I am thrilled to continue the outstanding work we began in your last administration at HUD with an incredible team. I am deeply humbled by your confidence in my nomination.
— Scott Turner (@sturnerofficial) November 23, 2024
I would also like to express the sincerest of gratitude to my mentor, Secretary… pic.twitter.com/X2ZJLSrfGI
“Lastly, I am eternally grateful to my wonderful wife Robin, my son Solomon, and the many incredible friends who have supported me on this journey,” Turner added. “We have an important mission ahead. To God be the glory. Let’s get to work!”
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla/Staff
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.