Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 25, 2026

Rodney Mims Cook Jr.

Rodney Mims Cook Jr. is an American self-proclaimed decorator who has been the chair of the United States Commission of Fine Arts since January 2026. He has been a member of the Commission of Fine Arts from 2021 to 2022, and since January 2026. He was nominated to the commission by President Donald Trump. Cook has been a persistent advocate for building arches in Washington D.C.

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Rodney Mims Cook Jr.
Chair of the United States Commission of Fine Arts
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 22, 2026
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byBillie Tsien
Member of the United States Commission of Fine Arts
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 20, 2026
Appointed byDonald Trump
In office
January 19, 2021 – April 4, 2022
Appointed byDonald Trump
Succeeded byLisa Delplace
Personal details
Born (1956-06-30) June 30, 1956
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
RelativesJames D. Robinson III (father-in-law)
EducationWashington and Lee University (BS)

Rodney Mims Cook Jr. (born June 30, 1956) is an American self-proclaimed decorator who has been the chair of the United States Commission of Fine Arts since January 2026. He has been a member of the Commission of Fine Arts from 2021 to 2022, and since January 2026. He was nominated to the commission by President Donald Trump. Cook has been a persistent advocate for building arches in Washington D.C.1

Early life and education

Rodney Mims Cook Jr. was born on June 30, 1956, at Georgia Baptist Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the son of Bettijo Cook (née Hogan, later Trawick, 1926–2023)2 and Rodney Mims Cook Sr. (1924–2013). The elder Cook was a member of the Atlanta Board of Aldermen and the Georgia House of Representatives.3 The younger Cook was raised in Buckhead.4 In his youth, Cook assisted his father in his political campaigns.5 He attended William Franklin Dykes High School;6 the school closed in 1973, when Cook was a junior. He was the junior class president.7 Cook studied engineering at Washington and Lee University.4 As a college freshman, Cook organized an effort to save the Fox Theatre, a building marked for demolition.8 The effort caught the attention of Charles, Prince of Wales, who visited Atlanta in 1977 and sought to meet Cook. The two developed a friendship after their encounter.9

Career

National Monuments Foundation (2003–present)

In 2003, Cook established the National Monuments Foundation.10

Vice chair of the Commission on Fine Arts (2021–2022)

In January 2021, president Donald Trump appointed Cook to the United States Commission of Fine Arts.11 Cook served as its vice chair.12 In April 2022, the Biden administration requested Cook's resignation. He was succeeded by Lisa Delplace.13

Chair of the Commission on Fine Arts (2026–present)

In January 2026, The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration was set to request that former members of the Commission of Fine Arts who had been appointed by Trump in his first term return to the commission.14 On January 20, Trump appointed Cook to the commission.15 He was voted the chairman on January 22.16

Engagement with Russia

In June 2026, Cook led a delegation to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The American delegation—which included the far-right political commentator and conspiracy theorist Candace Owens and actor Steven Seagal, both of whom have voiced support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine—was the first in nearly a decade to participate in the forum.17181920

References

References

  1. "Trump's top arts commissioner says D.C. needs three arches, not one". The Washington Post. April 16, 2026. ISSN 0190-8286.
  2. "Trawick, Bettijo Hogan Cook". The Atlanta Constitution. November 25, 2023. p. A10. Retrieved June 3, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. "Cradle Roll". The Atlanta Journal. July 3, 1956. Retrieved March 15, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Murphy, Patricia (February 27, 2026). "Atlantan Rodney Mims Cook is Trump's man for remaking the White House". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  5. Shannon, Margaret (October 5, 1969). "An Inside Look at the Mayor's Race". The Atlanta Constitution. Retrieved March 15, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Hutchenson, Jua Nyla (January 8, 1973). "Mrs. Cook Works From 'Kin to Caint'". The Atlanta Constitution. Retrieved March 15, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Granum, Rex (May 29, 1973). "Dykes Closing". The Atlanta Constitution. Retrieved March 15, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Joyce, Fay (December 31, 1974). "They Still Picket at The Fox". The Atlanta Constitution. Retrieved March 15, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Suggs, Ernie (May 4, 2023). "A young Atlanta Cook met a prince. Now he is going to a coronation". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on March 8, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  10. Boyles, Sallie (July 2, 2019). "A Storied Past and Brighter Future". Vie Magazine. Archived from the original on February 9, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  11. McGlone, Peggy (February 10, 2021). "Biden removes Trump appointees from boards that shape the District". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  12. Hickman, Matt (May 25, 2021). "Biden administration replaces four members of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  13. Hickman, Matt (April 4, 2022). "Trump appointee Rodney Mims Cook Jr. exits U.S. Commission of Fine Arts". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  14. Diamond, Dan; Edwards, Jonathan (January 1, 2026). "Trump is reconstituting the Fine Arts panel set to review his ballroom". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  15. Roche, Daniel (January 20, 2026). "President Trump appoints James McCrery and four others to U.S. Commission of Fine Arts". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  16. Rosen, Jacob; Farhi, Arden (January 22, 2026). "Judge skeptical of Trump's arguments he has proper authority to build White House ballroom". CBS News. Archived from the original on January 24, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  17. Gozzi, Laura (June 3, 2026). "Ukrainian Drones Hit St Petersburg as Putin's Flagship Economic Forum Opens". BBC. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  18. "St. Petersburg Economic Forum Opens Under Shadow of Ukrainian Drone Strikes". The Moscow Times. June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  19. Osborne, Andrew (June 2, 2026). "Ex-Hollywood, MAGA and Trump's Ballroom Commissioner: the U.S. Crowd at Russia's 'Davos'". Reuters. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  20. "US Officials Reappear at Russia's Top Economic Forum after Nearly a Decade". Kyiv Post. June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.