Turner, aged 52, previously managed the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term and is the first Black person to be appointed as a member of the Republican Cabinet.

Turner hails from Richardson, a suburb of Dallas, and is an alumnus of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he played as a defensive back. His NFL career, spanning nine seasons from 1995, saw him playing for teams such as the Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers, and Denver Broncos. During the offseasons, he interned for Rep. Duncan Hunter from California, later working full-time for the congressman after retiring in 2004.

Though he made a bid for California’s 50th Congressional District in 2006, Turner's political career gained momentum in Texas. He joined the Texas House in 2013, supported by the tea party movement, and served until 2016. He made an unsuccessful attempt to become the House Speaker before deciding not to seek a third term.

Beyond politics, Turner held a position as "chief inspiration officer" for a software company, where he served as a mentor, pastor, and counselor for the workforce. He has also made his mark as a motivational speaker. Alongside his wife, Robin, Turner founded a nonprofit focused on improving childhood literacy. He remains active in his church, Prestonwood Baptist Church, as an associate pastor and chairs a center for educational opportunity at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank formed by former Trump administration members.

In April 2019, Turner was appointed by Trump to head the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. Trump commended Turner for his efforts in revitalizing the country’s most distressed communities. This council worked with various federal agencies to promote investment in "Opportunity Zones," economically distressed areas eligible for federal tax incentives.

As the incoming head of HUD, Turner will oversee an agency tasked with addressing the United States’ housing needs and enforcing fair housing laws. The agency oversees housing for more than 4.3 million low-income families through various initiatives, including public housing, rental subsidies, and voucher programs. With a budget in the tens of billions, HUD runs programs aimed at reducing homelessness, promoting homeownership, and funding the construction of affordable housing.

During his campaign, Trump focused on making housing more affordable by tackling illegal immigration, reducing inflation, easing regulations on home construction, and proposing the use of federal land for residential building projects. Turner’s extensive background and experience will be pivotal as he leads HUD in addressing these critical housing issues.