Director Mick Mulvaney, 2025-2026 John W. Nixon '53 Distinguished Policy Fellow, capped off a day of activities at the Brooks School with the keynote talk "The Rise of Populism in America and Why It Is Happening," engaging a full lecture hall of Cornell students in a wide-ranging discussion that offered an insider's perspective on Republican politics and the inner workings of the Trump administration.
"I really enjoyed my time at the Brooks School and appreciated the enthusiasm and engagement from the students, whether they were studying the economics of fiscal policy or trying to understand better how Washington works," Mulvaney said. "It's crucial that students interested in politics have a grounding in both the policy material and the realities and processes it requires to pass good legislation."
Mulvaney- a frequent commentator with CNBC, Bloomberg, and The Hill and a vocal advocate for fiscal conservatism- opened the discussion by sharing his views on how populist movements on the left and right have reshaped the realities facing policymakers in Washington before shifting gears and fielding student questions on subjects that included the viability of third party candidates, the potential of U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, solutions to the U.S. debt crisis, and which GOP candidates have the best chance to succeed President Trump.
Director Mulvaney began his political career in the South Carolina General Assembly, where he held elected office in both the House of Representatives and in the Senate. He served as U.S. Congressman, representing South Carolina's 5th congressional district from 2011-17, before being appointed Director of the Office of Budget and Management (OMB) and, subsequently, acting White House Chief of Staff in the first Trump administration. He later served as U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, an ambassadorial role.
He was joined in the conversation by Erin King Sweeney, Senior Associate Director of the Cornell Institute of Politics and Global Affairs (IOPGA), and Doug Kriner, Clinton Rossiter Professor in American Institutions in the Brooks School and the College of Arts and Sciences and Faculty Director of IOPGA.
Director Mulvaney's visit was part of the Brooks School's Nixon Distinguished Fellows Program, which is part of the School's Learning and Leading Through Difference Initiative-an effort to advance civil discourse, strengthen democracy, and prepare students to become thoughtful, purpose-driven leaders. During his day at the Brooks School, he also met with faculty and student leaders and members of the Cornell Republicans, recorded a podcast with the Cornell Policy Review, and served as a guest lecturer in classes.
"It was a pleasure hosting Director Mulvaney and offering our students the opportunity to learn how the White House works from someone with unique insight and vast experience across the executive branch," said Kriner.
"We want our Cornell students to engage with ideas from across the political spectrum and to develop the critical thinking and dialogue skills they'll need to be successful in their pursuits later in life," said King Sweeney. "Yesterday's events with Director Mulvaney were a great example of that."
