Trump withdraws controversial nominee to lead ICE after backlash over his credentials
Por Brittney Donovan — – World RSS Feed
Trump withdraws controversial nominee to lead ICE after backlash over his credentials
Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper with limited direct experience in immigration policy, is close to DHS head Markwayne Mullin
Brittney Donovan Thursday 17 September 2026 19:24 BST
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The White House has pulled its controversial nomination of Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Schroyer, who has limited direct experience in immigration policy, is close to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, a former U.S. senator representing Oklahoma.
The administration offered no explanation for why his nomination was pulled. When announcing the selection in June, President Donald Trump called Schroyer “a PATRIOT with real operational experience” and a “proven leader with DECADES of experience locking up the worst of the worst.”
ICE has been without a Senate-confirmed head since the Obama administration. David Venturella stepped back into the agency to serve as acting director earlier this year following the official departure of Todd Lyons, who recently resigned from his leadership position.
Department of Homeland Security officials were reportedly up in arms over the nomination as critics inside DHS questioned Schroyer’s qualifications. They wanted Veturella to keep running the agency, Politico reported in August.
“We don’t want [Schroyer]. We don’t need him. Leave us alone. We are running better than ever,” one unnamed official told the publication. “People need to stop telling us how to do what we do best.”
Schroyer served in the Marine Corps from 1992 to 1996 and ran the security detail at Mullin’s house when he represented Oklahoma in the U.S. Senate. The pair struck up a friendship after Mullin invited Schroyer inside for dinner, the WSJ reported in July.
Schroyer, who retired as a state police major, had no federal government experience beyond being deputized to make immigration arrests, according to WSJ.
Venturella, ICE’s acting director, is an ally of White House border czar Tom Homan.
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Donald TrumpImmigration policyWhite HouseDepartment of Homeland SecurityMarkwayne Mullin
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