The White House has retracted its nomination of Lance Schroyer, an Oklahoma state trooper, to head Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Thursday, following a move by Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky that effectively stalled the confirmation.
As the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Paul had the authority to set the schedule for the committee’s confirmation hearing. However, Politico reported that he paused the process, seeking further information about federal investigations regarding the fatal shootings of two Americans during ICE operations in Minneapolis earlier this year. Additionally, Paul had refrained from publicly stating his stance on Schroyer’s nomination, according to the Washington Post.
On Thursday, the withdrawal of Schroyer’s nomination, which had been made nearly two months prior by President Donald Trump, was formally submitted to the Senate. When nominating Schroyer, Trump had praised his 29 years of law enforcement experience, asserting that he had “what it takes to DETAIN AND DEPORT Illegal Alien Criminals.”
Back in late June, Trump urged the Senate to confirm Schroyer without delay.
Interestingly, Paul has critiqued the newly appointed Homeland Security Secretary, Markwayne Mullin, whom Schroyer would have worked under if he had been confirmed. Their relationship seems to be quite strained.
During Mullin’s confirmation hearing in March, Paul confronted him for allegedly calling him a “freaking snake” and seemingly endorsing a past violent assault against him. Paul questioned if someone who promotes violence against political opponents is suitable to lead an agency with a history of force misuse.
Several immigration advocates have raised doubts about Schroyer’s qualifications to implement the mass deportations demanded by Trump’s supporters. It’s worth noting that it’s been over a decade since the Senate has confirmed someone to lead ICE.
While Paul’s office contended that he did not block the nomination, claiming instead that the White House withdrew it, they stated that he had not voiced opposition to Schroyer. The Daily Caller has sought comments from the White House regarding this matter.
