Washington – Customs Whistleblowers Recognized by Trump Administration
The Trump administration is honoring three customs and border whistleblowers who raised concerns over seven years ago about the lack of fingerprint collection from detainees, potentially allowing numerous criminals into the country.
Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem announced on Monday that CBP agents Fred Wynn, Mike Taylor, and Mark Jones will assume supervisory roles and will receive seven years’ worth of backpay and retirement benefits after enduring what they described as “unfair prices” for flagging these practices as violations of federal law since 2009.
“These men had the courage and patriotism to oppose the intentional efforts of the Biden administration to undermine our national security, and they faced unjust consequences for doing so,” Noem remarked.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) played a significant role in a February 2018 effort to support the three whistleblowers, highlighting that the Department of Homeland Security had failed to comply with the DNA fingerprinting Act established in 2005.
“Today marks a victory for Fred Wynn, Mike Taylor, Mark Jones, and the Rule of Law. These patriotic individuals can finally resume their work,” Grassley expressed.
He added, “I am deeply thankful for the leadership within the Homeland Security Agency and Customs and Border Protection. Their collaboration with me was crucial in reinstating these whistleblowers to their rightful roles.”
During the initial Trump administration, Henry Kerner from the US Special Advisor’s Office informed the President and Congress in August 2019 that subjects accused of violent crimes, including serious felonies, were sometimes overlooked by the CBP or ICE.
A source familiar with the consequences of ignoring this responsibility noted, “I think the number of Americans who died on September 11th is likely greater than those who have died in the aftermath of that day.”
The issue began in 2010 when Attorney General Eric Holder decided to allow exceptions to DNA sample collection from criminal arrests.
While the DNA Fingerprint Act was enacted in 2005, it was not officially recognized as a federal regulation until late 2008, becoming effective the following year.
In 2023, under former President Joe Biden, the CBP collected less than 40% of the required DNA samples from illegal immigrants.
All three whistleblowers faced significant professional repercussions for their actions, losing performance awards and being reassigned away from teams focusing on the MS-13 gang.
A source mentioned they were stripped of their badges and firearms “without cause” during this period.
Previously, Wynn, Taylor, and Jones were part of the now-defunct mass destruction sector between 2016 and 2018, which aimed to pilot DNA fingerprinting methods.
Wynn is retired now, while Jones and Taylor have returned to their positions with badges and firearms.
Grassley has further aided in reinstating IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, who raised alarms over a concealed tax felony involving Hunter Biden.
