On Friday, November 22nd, President-elect Donald Trump officially nominated former NFL star Scott Turner to serve as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the United States.
Aged 52, Turner previously served as the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term, where he was responsible for assisting disadvantaged communities facing economic or social challenges within the United States and improving development opportunities in these areas.
Trump highly commended Turner in his statement, praising his significant contributions to advancing the Opportunity Zones policy.
“In Scott’s guidance, 16 federal agencies implemented over 200 policy actions to promote economic development. Under his leadership, the Opportunity Zones attracted over $500 billion in private investments,” Trump wrote.
Born and raised in Texas, Turner attended the University of Illinois where he played as a starting cornerback for the team. After graduation, he was selected by the Washington Redskins and played nine seasons in the NFL. Following his retirement, he returned to Texas and entered politics, successfully running for the Texas House of Representatives.
Turner also founded the charity foundation CEOC (Community Engagement and Opportunity Committee) and serves as its CEO, dedicated to revitalizing communities nationwide through sports, mentorship programs, and economic opportunities.
Additionally, he is a board member of the American Cornerstone Institute and serves as an associate pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church.
An insider familiar with internal discussions informed The Epoch Times that Trump recently invited his former HUD Secretary, Ben Carson, to resume the position, but Carson declined the offer. However, Carson recommended Turner for the position.
The source mentioned that Trump’s transition team is still in talks with Carson regarding other potential cabinet positions.
The Epoch Times has sought comments from Carson.
After Trump announced his nominee, Carson congratulated Turner on the X platform on social media.
“Scott is a born leader, a devout man, and a remarkable talent,” Carson wrote. “Scott and I worked together at HUD, and he played a vital role in our Opportunity Zones program, which saw great success. I believe he will lead this agency to new heights and deliver outstanding results for the American people.”
Turner also expressed gratitude for Trump’s nomination in his post.
“I am excited to work with an excellent team to continue the outstanding work your previous administration carried out at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. I am honored by the trust you have placed in my nomination,” Turner wrote.
“I also want to express my sincerest gratitude to my mentor. @RealBenCarson. Few are as compassionate and kind-hearted as he is, and I am well aware of the responsibilities ahead,” Turner added.
During Trump’s first term, the Opportunity Zones program, which incentivizes private investment in low-income communities through tax breaks, was initiated. These investment projects include affordable housing for low-income individuals, clean technologies, medical facilities, development of historic buildings, and brownfield redevelopment.
Established in 2017 by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the program garnered bipartisan support in Congress.